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Forward Liam Delap is returning from a thigh problem at a crucial moment for Chelsea.

The Stamford Bridge outfit lost 2-1 against surprise package Sunderland at their stadium on recently, with boss Enzo Maresca attributing "a lack of creativity" and his side's crossing being "below standard".

Chelsea's forwards are finding it hard to score and assists as Delap returns in the EFL Cup against bottom-half Wolves on midweek (19:45 GMT), having sat out 10 fixtures since sustaining the injury in the 2-0 win over Fulham in the summer.

Maresca stated the young striker will be gradually introduced "gradually", and the summer signing's availability is important for a side facing scrutiny over their unpredictability, which has left the cup competitions their most realistic chance of winning a trophy this term.

Delap to Share Load With Joao Pedro

Chelsea brought in Delap from the Championship side for £30m despite attention from Old Trafford club, St James' Park side and Goodison Park team.

Yet the young English striker was second to expensive recruit Joao Pedro in the selection hierarchy at this global competition - and with good reason.

Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three outings as Chelsea won the inaugural tournament in the America. The Seleção attacker added two more goals and three assists in his opening quartet of league fixtures after arriving from Brighton.

More of late, however, Joao Pedro has failed to score 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 at the moment demand to be "handled carefully".

When asked about Joao Pedro's drop in output, Maresca said: "For sure the fitness aspect is vital. When you are not 100% it's challenging to excel, especially in this competition."

"Joao Pedro is not a traditional striker that is going to net twenty times each year. Joao's a fantastic player, he's going to score and create chances but he's a different kind of nine to those who net 20 to 25 goals annually like [Robert] Lewandowski, the French superstar or the City striker."

Wider Problems in Chelsea's Forward Line

Chelsea deal with wider issues in addition to their forwards and Joao Pedro's drought.

Attacker Cole Palmer has featured for ninety minutes twice all campaign and is not expected return from a groin problem until the winter.

Winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a potential £52 million deal, has failed to score and a single assist in ten games. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40 million signing from Manchester United, has a single strike in seven matches and caused an own goal against Benfica.

Estevao Willian, eighteen, has impressed since joining from Palmeiras for a potential £51 million deal, but has just two strikes and one assist - equaling homegrown talent Tyrique George.

Forward Marc Guiu and loan signing Facundo Buonanotte have one score each.

Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from defensive position last term, is still to score this term. Attacking player Pedro Neto has a single strike and two goal contributions in his last two games, but prior to that scored only once in the opening ten matches.

After thirteen fixtures in various cups no attacker has over two strikes, with central players Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's joint top scorers with four strikes.

Queried whether a lack of natural goalscorers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca said: "Absolutely, yes. We said many times that the five players at the offense, we need multiple goals per player, in the way we have done last season."

Maresca has developed approaches to compete despite offensive unpredictability. Chelsea are second place for dead-ball situations in the Premier League, one less than Arsenal. In addition, the Blues are the initial club to have ten distinct net-finders in the first division this term.

Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?

Some Chelsea followers believe the center-forward number - claimed by Delap in the summer - is jinxed. It had been unoccupied since 2023, and players who donned it since 2006 have found scoring difficult, including:

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

A central player and backline player are part of this selection, and some would contend Abraham lifted the hoodoo with his performance, while famous attackers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled with the number nine.

But Delap was unfazed when questioned 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 number on the back of your kit. It's just a digit that has traditionally been associated to attackers so it's something that I enjoy and there's no added burden."