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Attacker Liam Delap is returning from a hamstring injury at a crucial moment for Chelsea.

The Stamford Bridge outfit suffered a 2-1 defeat against unexpected challengers Sunderland at their home ground on the weekend, with boss Enzo Maresca attributing "limited inventiveness" and his side's crossing being "subpar".

Chelsea's forwards are finding it hard to score and assists as Delap returns in the League Cup against bottom-half Wolves on this week (evening kickoff), having sat out 10 fixtures since sustaining the injury in the success over Fulham in the summer.

Maresca stated the emerging talent will be phased in "slowly", and the new recruit's comeback is vital for a club facing scrutiny over their mixed results, which has left the national tournaments their most realistic chance of winning a trophy this season.

Delap to Ease Burden On Joao Pedro

Chelsea signed Delap from the Championship side for £30m despite pursuit by the Red Devils, the Magpies and the Toffees.

Yet the Three Lions prospect was second to £55 million acquisition Joao Pedro in the team ranking at this summer's Club World Cup - and with solid justification.

Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three outings as Chelsea claimed the first edition in the USA. The Brazil striker scored another two and three goal contributions in his first four Premier League games after arriving from Brighton.

More lately, however, Joao Pedro has failed to score in his previous seven fixtures. Maresca revealed he is one of three players - along with engine room operators Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "handled carefully".

When questioned about Joao Pedro's decline in performance, Maresca remarked: "Definitely the physical part is vital. When you are not at peak condition it's difficult to compete, notably in this division."

"Joao Pedro is not a classic center-forward that is going to reach twenty strikes every season. Joao's a excellent footballer, he's going to get goals and provide assists but he's a different kind of nine to ones that score 20 to 25 goals every season like the Bayern legend, [Kylian] Mbappe or the City striker."

Broader Issues in Chelsea's Attack

Chelsea face wider issues beyond their forwards and Joao Pedro's drought.

Winger Cole Palmer has played two full matches all campaign and is not expected return from a groin injury until next month.

Wide player Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a potential £52 million deal, has no goals and one goal contribution in 10 matches. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m recruit from Manchester United, has one goal in seven matches and forced an own goal against Benfica.

Estevao Willian, the teenager, has impressed since moving from Palmeiras for a fee rising to £51m, but has merely two scores and one assist - paralleling youth product Tyrique George.

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

Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from left-back last campaign, is yet to find the net this season. Attacking player Pedro Neto has one score 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 above two scores, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four strikes.

Asked whether a lack of natural goalscorers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca said: "Definitely, yes. We said many times that the front five at the offense, we need numerous strikes from each, in the fashion we managed last campaign."

Maresca has found ways to be competitive despite offensive unpredictability. Chelsea are second place for free-kick and corner scores in the top flight, one behind Arsenal. In addition, the West London club are the first team to have 10 different scorers in the first division this campaign.

Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?

Some Chelsea followers feel the number nine shirt - assigned to Delap in the off-season - is hexed. It had been vacant since last year, and squad members who donned 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) - 15 scores in 58 games
• Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 goals in eighty-two matches
• Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five scores in 19 appearances
• Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 scores in 72 appearances
• Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one score in 12 games
• Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): forty-five strikes in 172 appearances
• 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 central player and defender are among those listed, and some would suggest Abraham lifted the hoodoo with his record, while famous attackers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thrived with nine on their back.

But Delap was unfazed when queried about the jinx. "I'm not the type of person [who believes in curses]," he commented at the international tournament.

"Ultimately it's a figure on the jersey of your shirt. It's just a figure that has always been related to forwards so it's something that I like and there's zero expectation."