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Forward Liam Delap is recovering from a thigh problem at a important period for Chelsea.

The Stamford Bridge outfit were beaten 2-1 against shock contenders Sunderland at their home ground on recently, with boss Enzo Maresca blaming "insufficient imagination" and his side's crossing being "not the best".

Chelsea's forwards are finding it hard to score and goal contributions as Delap makes his comeback in the Carabao Cup against lowly Wolves on midweek (prime time), having been absent for 10 matches since sustaining the injury in the victory over Fulham in last month.

Maresca commented the emerging talent will be slowly integrated "gradually", and the summer signing's availability is important for a team facing criticism over their inconsistency, which has left the national tournaments their best opportunity of securing honors this campaign.

Delap to Ease Burden On Joao Pedro

Chelsea acquired Delap from the Tractor Boys for £30m despite pursuit by the Red Devils, the Magpies and Goodison Park team.

Yet the England Under-21s forward was below £55 million acquisition Joao Pedro in the pecking order at this recent international tournament - and with valid cause.

Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three outings as Chelsea won the inaugural tournament in the America. The Brazilian forward notched additional strikes and three setups in his initial four top-flight matches after moving from the Seagulls.

More recently, however, Joao Pedro has been goalless in his last seven games. Maresca said he is one of a trio of players - along with engine room operators Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who currently need to be "handled carefully".

When queried about Joao Pedro's drop in output, Maresca commented: "Definitely the physical part is vital. When you are not 100% it's difficult to compete, particularly in this competition."

"Joao Pedro is not a traditional striker that is going to score 20 goals every season. Joao's a fantastic player, he's going to find the net and create chances but he's a distinctive forward to those who net 20 to 25 goals every season like [Robert] Lewandowski, the French superstar or the City striker."

Additional Concerns in Chelsea's Forward Line

Chelsea confront broader problems in addition to their attackers and Joao Pedro's drought.

Forward Cole Palmer has completed two games all season and is not expected return from a lower body issue until next month.

Winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a £52m package, has failed to score and one assist in ten appearances. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40 million signing from Manchester United, has a single strike in seven games and induced an opposition error against Benfica.

Estevao Willian, 18, has entertained since arriving from Palmeiras for a potential £51 million deal, but has just two strikes and a single assist - paralleling academy forward Tyrique George.

Attacker Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have one goal each.

Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from left-back last term, is without a goal this season. Winger Pedro Neto has one goal and two goal contributions in his previous two fixtures, but before that got only one goal in the opening ten matches.

After 13 matches in every tournament no forward has more than two goals, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's joint top scorers with four strikes.

Queried whether a lack of natural goalscorers means duties need distributing, Maresca stated: "Absolutely, yes. We frequently mentioned that the quintet of attackers at the attack, we need multiple goals per player, in the manner we achieved last season."

Maresca has found ways to challenge despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are second place for free-kick and corner scores in the top flight, one behind Arsenal. In furthermore, the Blues are the initial club to have ten distinct net-finders in the first division this term.

Will Chelsea's Number Nine Curse Be Broken?

Some Chelsea fans feel the striker's jersey - claimed by Delap in the off-season - is jinxed. It had been vacant since last year, and players who sported it since 2006 have had goal droughts, including:

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - a trio of scores in twenty-one matches
• Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 scores in 58 appearances
• Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - thirty strikes in 82 appearances
• Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five strikes in 19 appearances
• Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - twenty-four strikes in seventy-two matches
• Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one score in 12 games
• Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 scores in one hundred seventy-two matches
• Franco di Santo (2008-10) - failed to score in 16 appearances
• Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one score in 25 appearances
• Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - no goals in 20 appearances

A engine room operator and defender are part of this selection, and some would argue Abraham broke the curse with his achievement, while iconic forwards such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled with the striker's jersey.

But Delap was unfazed when questioned about the curse. "I'm not the type of person [who believes in curses]," he said at the global competition.

"In the final analysis it's a number on the back of your kit. It's just a digit that has always been related to strikers so it's something that I appreciate and there's no pressure."