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LIAM DELAP BACK, CHELSEA HOPE TO END FORWARD DILEMMA QUICKLY

Liam Delap returns from injury as Chelsea's attack struggles for goals. With Joao Pedro in a slump and no striker scoring consistently, Delap's comeback is a timely boost for Enzo Maresca.

Liam Delap Back, Chelsea Hope To End Forward Dilemma Quickly
Delap’s Return Brings Hope To Chelsea - | Credit: Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Manager Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge blamed his team's crossing being "not the best" and "a lack of inventiveness" for the Blues' 2-1 loss to surprise package Sunderland on Saturday.

Delap returns in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday (19:45 GMT), after missing 10 games since suffering the injury in the 2-0 victory over Fulham in August, but Chelsea's forwards are struggling for goals and assists.

The 22-year-old will be phased in "gradually," according to Maresca. The return of the summer acquisition is crucial for a team that has been criticised for its lack of consistency, which has made the domestic cups their best chance to win a trophy this season.

Despite interest from Manchester United, Newcastle United, and Everton, Chelsea paid £30 million to acquire Delap from Ipswich Town.

However, at this summer's Club World Cup, the England Under-21s forward was ranked lower than Joao Pedro, who cost £55 million, and for good cause.

Chelsea won the first competition in the United States thanks to three goals from Joao Pedro in three games. After signing from Brighton, the Brazilian striker added two more goals and three assists in his first four Premier League appearances.

Joao Pedro, on the other hand, has failed to score in his last seven games. According to Maresca, he is one of three players who require "protection" at the moment, along with midfielders Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez.

"The physical part is definitely crucial," Maresca remarked in response to a question concerning Joao Pedro's decline in form posed by BBC Sport. It is challenging to compete when you are not at your best, particularly in this league.

"Joao Pedro is not a number nine who will accomplish 20 goals a year. Joao is an excellent player who will score goals and provide assists, but he is not like the nine-to-ones who score twenty to twenty-five goals annually, such as [Robert] Lewandowski, [Kylian] Mbappe, or [Erling] Haaland."

Beyond its strikers and Joao Pedro's goalless streak, Chelsea has more serious problems.

Cole Palmer is not anticipated to return from a groin injury until December, despite having played two complete games this season.

Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, a winger who cost £52 million to sign from Borussia Dortmund, has only contributed one assist and no goals in 10 games. The £40 million Manchester United acquisition, Alejandro Garnacho, has only scored once in seven games and forced an own goal against Benfica.

Since signing from Palmeiras for a reported £51 million, 18-year-old Estevao Willian has provided entertainment, but his two goals and one assist are equal to those of academy striker Tyrique George.

Facundo Buonanotte, on loan from Brighton, and striker Marc Guiu each have one goal.

Last season, Marc Cucurella scored seven goals from left-back, but he has not scored this year. Pedro Neto, a winger, had only scored once in his first ten games but has one goal and two assists in his last two games.

Midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo are Chelsea's equal leading scorers with four goals, while no striker has more than two goals after 13 games across all competitions.

When asked if sharing responsibility is necessary because there are any natural goal scorers, Maresca responded, "Yes, absolutely. As we did the previous season, we repeatedly stated that the five players at the front need to score six, seven, eight, nine, or ten goals apiece.

Maresca has managed to compete in spite of his inconsistent attacks. In the Premier League, Chelsea is one goal behind Arsenal in set-piece goals. The Blues are also the first team in the top flight this season to have ten different scorers.

LIAM ROSENIOR’S "DETAILED TALKS" WITH CHELSEA LEADERSHIP REVEAL AGGRESSIVE SUMMER TRANSFER STRATEGY

Liam Rosenior confirms no Chelsea players want to leave, including Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer, despite UCL exit.

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Liam Rosenior is currently engaged in thorough discussions with Chelsea’s leadership about their plans for the summer transfer window. Interestingly, none of the players has approached him expressing a desire to leave.

After Chelsea’s exit from the Champions League last-16 against Paris Saint-Germain, speculation swirled around Enzo Fernandez’s future, while names like Cole Palmer and Moises Caicedo have also been linked with moves away since Rosenior took charge in January. Ahead of their trip to Everton, Rosenior addressed questions about possible departures if the team misses out on Europe’s top competition again. He also spoke about the ongoing efforts to bring new players in.

“We're having very detailed talks about where we need to strengthen,” he said, referring to conversations with the sporting director team, headed by Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart. “I’ve shared my thoughts on what’s needed, and we’re mostly aligned on the approach, which is encouraging. But the priority is also handling the present properly. It’s crucial to be in a good spot now. Planning is important, but so is winning in the moment. That’s why I’m here, and I’m having positive discussions with ownership and the sporting directors about it.”

Rosenior emphasised that key players like Enzo Fernández want to remain at Chelsea. After Fernandez’s recent interview with ESPN Argentina, where he was noncommittal about his future following the heavy loss to PSG, Rosenior reached out to him personally.

“Our plans don’t hinge solely on qualifying for the Champions League; there are many variables,” Rosenior explained. “We need to make the best of the situation we’re in and stay as strong as possible. I maintain a close relationship with the players; we talk beyond football about their families and their lives. I’m particularly close with Enzo and the others. Since I arrived, no one has told me they want to leave in the summer. The focus is really on improving together as a team and figuring out what it takes to win right now.”

When asked specifically if that applies to Fernandez, Palmer, and Caicedo, Rosenior was clear: “They love it here.”

WHY ENZO FERNANDEZ REFUSES TO COMMIT TO CHELSEA’S FUTURE PROJECT

Enzo Fernandez has sparked Chelsea exit fears after refusing to commit to his future following a 2-8 defeat to PSG.

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Chelsea fans barely had time to process a brutal 8-2 Champions League thrashing by PSG on Tuesday when vice-captain Enzo Fernandez stirred things up even more. ESPN Argentina asked him about his future, and instead of assurance, Fernandez left everyone guessing about whether he’d still be at Stamford Bridge next season.

His answer? “I don’t know. There are eight games left, and the FA Cup. There’s the World Cup, and then we’ll see.” Not exactly what supporters needed to hear after a rough night. Honestly, Enzo, now’s probably not the best time for uncertainty.

People have been gossiping about Fernandez’s next move for a while now. Real Madrid and PSG keep cropping up as possible destinations, despite Chelsea sources insisting they won’t sell him. He’s locked into a contract until 2032, but if he pushes for an exit, who knows if that changes.

Fernandez holds a hefty price tag of £107 million; when he arrived in January 2023, it was a British record at the time. He’s backed it up this season, stacking up 12 goals, 6 assists, and playing more minutes than anyone else on the squad.

Still, Chelsea has been searching for someone who can play that No. 10 role where Fernandez has spent most of the season. Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers is on their wishlist, though nothing’s happened yet. Rogers, 23 and once a Manchester City academy kid, has been lighting it up at Villa lately. He signed a contract extension in November, but rumours about his future just won’t die.

Rogers is definitely on Chelsea’s radar. If Fernandez leaves this summer, and really, that’s still wide open; Rogers could be a target.

You can expect Chelsea to be busy in the market soon. They need a centre-back after missing out on Jeremy Jacquet in January. Douglas Luiz was briefly considered but wound up at Villa, so midfield is still in the mix. Plus, given their attacking troubles this season, they’ll be looking to upgrade up front too.

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