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Forward Liam Delap is returning from a muscle issue at a time of need for Chelsea.

The Blues were beaten 2-1 against unexpected challengers Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on recently, with head coach Enzo Maresca citing "limited inventiveness" and his side's crossing being "below standard".

Chelsea's attackers are struggling for goals and assists as Delap is back available in the EFL Cup against struggling Wolves on Wednesday (prime time), having sat out 10 fixtures since sustaining the injury in the 2-0 win over Fulham in the summer.

Maresca stated the 22-year-old will be phased in "carefully", and the recent acquisition's comeback is crucial for a side facing criticism over their mixed results, which has left the domestic cups their most realistic chance of securing honors this season.

Delap to Ease Burden On Joao Pedro

Chelsea brought in Delap from the Championship side for £30m despite pursuit by Old Trafford club, the Magpies and the Toffees.

Yet the young English striker was second to expensive recruit Joao Pedro in the pecking order at this summer's Club World Cup - and with valid cause.

Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three matches as Chelsea claimed the first edition in the America. The Brazilian forward added two more goals and three goal contributions in his opening quartet of league fixtures after arriving from Brighton.

More recently, however, Joao Pedro has been goalless in his previous seven fixtures. Maresca said he is one of three players - along with midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who at the moment demand to be "handled carefully".

When questioned about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca commented: "Certainly the fitness aspect is important. When you are not at peak condition it's hard to perform, particularly in this competition."

"Joao Pedro is not a number nine that is going to score 20 goals annually. Joao's a fantastic player, he's going to score and create chances but he's a distinctive forward to those who net 20 to 25 goals each year like [Robert] Lewandowski, the PSG forward or [Erling] Haaland."

Broader Issues in Chelsea's Offense

Chelsea confront broader problems beyond their forwards and Joao Pedro's scoreless streak.

Attacker Cole Palmer has completed two games all campaign and is not expected return from a groin problem until the winter.

Wide player Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a £52m package, has no goals and one assist in ten games. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m acquisition from Manchester United, has a single strike in seven matches and caused an own goal against Benfica.

Estevao Willian, 18, has impressed since joining from Palmeiras for a fee rising to £51m, but has merely two scores and one assist - equaling academy forward Tyrique George.

Forward Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece.

Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from full-back last season, is still to score this term. Winger Pedro Neto has one goal and two goal contributions in his last two games, but before that found the net just once in the first 10 games.

After thirteen fixtures in every tournament no striker has over two strikes, with central players Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four goals.

Asked whether a absence of prolific strikers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca stated: "Absolutely, yes. We said many times that the quintet of attackers at the offense, we need six, seven, eight, nine, 10 goals each, in the way we have done last season."

Maresca has discovered methods to be competitive despite goal-scoring variability. Chelsea are runner-up in set-piece goals in the Premier League, one behind Arsenal. In furthermore, the West London club are the first team to have 10 different scorers in the Premier League this season.

Can Chelsea's Striker Jinx End?

Some Chelsea fans feel the striker's jersey - claimed by Delap in the off-season - is cursed. It had been vacant since last year, and footballers who wore it since 2006 have struggled for goals, including:

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - a trio of scores in twenty-one matches
• Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - fifteen strikes in 58 appearances
• Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 scores in 82 appearances
• Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five scores in 19 appearances
• Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 scores in seventy-two matches
• Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one goal in twelve matches
• Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 goals in one hundred seventy-two matches
• Franco di Santo (2008-10) - no goals in 16 appearances
• Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one goal in twenty-five matches
• Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - failed to score in 20 appearances

A engine room operator and defensive specialist are among those listed, and some would suggest Abraham broke the curse with his record, while famous attackers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thrived with nine on their back.

But Delap was unconcerned when questioned about the jinx. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he said at the Club World Cup.

"At the end of the day it's a number on the back of your shirt. It's just a digit that has always been related to strikers so it's something that I like and there's no added burden."