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Striker Liam Delap is returning from a thigh problem at a important period for Chelsea.

The West London club were beaten 2-1 against surprise package Sunderland at their home ground on Saturday, with boss Enzo Maresca citing "insufficient imagination" and his side's crossing being "not the best".

Chelsea's forwards are struggling for goals and key passes as Delap makes his comeback in the EFL Cup against lowly Wolves on midweek (prime time), having missed 10 games since sustaining the injury in the success over Fulham in August.

Maresca stated the 22-year-old will be slowly integrated "slowly", and the new recruit's availability is crucial for a side facing questions over their mixed results, which has left the cup competitions their best opportunity of securing honors this term.

Delap to Share Load With Joao Pedro

Chelsea brought in Delap from Ipswich Town for £30m despite interest from Manchester United, Newcastle United and the Toffees.

Yet the young English striker was second to £55 million acquisition Joao Pedro in the selection hierarchy at this summer's Club World Cup - and with valid cause.

Joao Pedro found the net three times in three matches as Chelsea won the inaugural tournament in the United States. The Seleção attacker scored another two and three setups in his initial four top-flight matches after moving from the Seagulls.

More of late, however, Joao Pedro has not scored in his previous seven fixtures. Maresca said he is one of a trio of players - along with engine room operators Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "shielded".

When queried about Joao Pedro's drop in output, Maresca remarked: "For sure the fitness aspect is important. When you are not fully fit it's difficult to compete, especially in this division."

"Joao Pedro is not a classic center-forward that is going to net twenty times every season. Joao's a fantastic player, he's going to find the net and create chances but he's a alternative type of striker to players who get 20 to 25 goals annually like the Bayern legend, the PSG forward or the Norwegian goal machine."

Broader Issues in Chelsea's Offense

Chelsea face additional challenges beyond their attackers and Joao Pedro's goalless run.

Attacker Cole Palmer has completed two games all term and is not expected return from a groin injury until next month.

Wide player Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, acquired from Borussia Dortmund for a potential £52 million deal, has no goals and one assist in 10 matches. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40 million signing from Manchester United, has one goal in seven matches and induced an opposition error against Benfica.

Estevao Willian, 18, has entertained since arriving from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has merely two scores and a single assist - paralleling homegrown talent Tyrique George.

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

Marc Cucurella, who scored seven from full-back last term, is without a goal this campaign. Attacking player Pedro Neto has a single strike and two setups in his past two matches, but earlier scored only once in the first 10 games.

After thirteen games in all competitions no striker has over two strikes, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four.

Asked whether a shortage of clinical finishers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca said: "Certainly, yes. We repeatedly stated that the quintet of attackers at the attack, we need numerous strikes from each, in the manner we achieved last term."

Maresca has developed approaches to challenge despite offensive unpredictability. Chelsea are second for free-kick and corner scores in the top flight, trailing by one Arsenal. In furthermore, the Blues are the first team to have 10 different scorers in the first division this season.

Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?

Some Chelsea followers believe the number nine shirt - claimed by Delap in the off-season - is hexed. It had been unoccupied since last year, and footballers who donned it since the mid-2000s have found scoring difficult, including:

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three strikes in 21 appearances
• Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 scores in fifty-eight matches
• Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 scores in 82 games
• Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five goals in 19 appearances
• Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 goals in seventy-two matches
• Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one score in 12 games
• Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 scores in 172 games
• Franco di Santo (2008-10) - zero strikes in 16 appearances
• Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - a single strike in 25 games
• Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - failed to score in 20 appearances

A central player and defender are included in this group, and some would suggest Abraham ended the jinx with his record, while famous attackers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink flourished with the striker's jersey.

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

"Ultimately it's a digit on the shirt of your kit. It's just a digit that has traditionally been associated to strikers so it's something that I enjoy and there's no added burden."