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Attacker Liam Delap is recovering from a muscle issue at a time of need for Chelsea.

The Stamford Bridge outfit were beaten 2-1 against unexpected challengers Sunderland at their home ground on Saturday, with head coach Enzo Maresca attributing "limited inventiveness" and his side's crossing being "not the best".

Chelsea's attackers are finding it hard to score and assists as Delap is back available in the League Cup against bottom-half Wolves on midweek (prime time), having been absent for 10 matches since sustaining the injury in the 2-0 win over Fulham in August.

Maresca commented the 22-year-old will be gradually introduced "gradually", and the new recruit's availability is vital for a team facing criticism over their unpredictability, which has left the cup competitions their best opportunity of claiming silverware this season.

Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro

Chelsea brought in Delap from the Tractor Boys for thirty million pounds despite attention from the Red Devils, the Magpies and Everton.

Yet the England Under-21s forward was second to expensive recruit Joao Pedro in the team ranking at this summer's Club World Cup - and with valid cause.

Joao Pedro scored three goals in three outings as Chelsea claimed the first edition in the United States. The Brazilian forward added two more goals and three setups in his opening quartet of league fixtures after moving from the Seagulls.

More lately, however, Joao Pedro has not scored in his last seven games. Maresca said he is one of three players - along with engine room operators Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "protected".

When questioned about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca remarked: "For sure the conditioning element is important. When you are not at peak condition it's hard to perform, particularly in this competition."

"Joao Pedro is not a classic center-forward that is going to score 20 goals annually. Joao's a excellent footballer, he's going to find the net and give assists but he's a distinctive forward to those who net 20 to 25 goals annually like the Bayern legend, the French superstar or [Erling] Haaland."

Wider Problems in Chelsea's Attack

Chelsea face additional challenges apart from their strikers and Joao Pedro's scoreless streak.

Winger Cole Palmer has played two full matches all term and is not anticipated to feature from a groin problem until December.

Wide player Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, signed from Borussia Dortmund for a £52m package, has failed to score and a single assist in ten games. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m acquisition from Manchester United, has one score in seven outings and caused an own goal against Benfica.

Estevao Willian, 18, has shown promise since arriving from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has just two strikes and one assist - paralleling youth product Tyrique George.

Attacker Marc Guiu and Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte have one score each.

Marc Cucurella, who scored seven from defensive position last campaign, is yet to find the net this campaign. Attacking player Pedro Neto has one score and two assists in his past two matches, but earlier scored only once in the first 10 games.

After thirteen games in various cups no forward has more than two goals, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's shared top goalscorers with four goals.

Queried whether a lack of natural goalscorers means goals must come from multiple sources, Maresca said: "Certainly, yes. We said many times that the five players at the attack, we need numerous strikes from each, in the way we have done last campaign."

Maresca has developed approaches to be competitive despite offensive unpredictability. Chelsea are second place for set-piece goals in the English top division, one less than Arsenal. In furthermore, the West London club are the initial club to have 10 different scorers in the top flight this season.

Can Chelsea's Striker Jinx End?

Some Chelsea fans think the number nine shirt - assigned to Delap in the off-season - is hexed. It had been available since 2023, and footballers who wore it since 2006 have found scoring difficult, including:

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - a trio of scores in twenty-one matches
• Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 scores in 58 games
• Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 scores in 82 appearances
• Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five scores in nineteen matches
• Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 goals in 72 games
• Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one goal in 12 appearances
• Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): forty-five strikes in 172 appearances
• Franco di Santo (2008-10) - no goals in sixteen matches
• Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one score in 25 games
• Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - no goals in 20 appearances

A central player and backline player are included in this group, and some would contend Abraham broke the curse with his performance, while legendary strikers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thrived with the number nine.

But Delap was unconcerned when asked about the jinx. "I'm not one [who believes in curses]," he commented at the Club World Cup.

"At the end of the day it's a figure on the jersey of your uniform. It's just a figure that has historically been connected to forwards so it's something that I appreciate and there's zero expectation."