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Striker Liam Delap is recovering from a muscle issue at a crucial moment for Chelsea.

The West London club suffered a 2-1 defeat against unexpected challengers Sunderland at their stadium on the weekend, with head coach Enzo Maresca blaming "a lack of creativity" and his side's crossing being "below standard".

Chelsea's attackers are finding it hard to score and key passes as Delap returns in the Carabao Cup against struggling Wolves on Wednesday (evening kickoff), having missed 10 games since suffering the setback in the 2-0 win over Fulham in last month.

Maresca said the emerging talent will be phased in "carefully", and the summer signing's availability is crucial for a side facing criticism over their unpredictability, which has left the cup competitions their most realistic chance of claiming silverware this campaign.

Delap to Ease Burden On Joao Pedro

Chelsea acquired Delap from the Championship side for £30m despite interest from the Red Devils, St James' Park side and the Toffees.

Yet the Three Lions prospect was second to £55m signing Joao Pedro in the selection hierarchy at this recent international tournament - and with valid cause.

Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three appearances as Chelsea won the inaugural tournament in the USA. The Brazil striker added two more goals and three assists in his first four Premier League games after joining from Brighton.

More recently, however, Joao Pedro has been goalless in his past seven matches. Maresca said he is one of a trio of players - along with midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "handled carefully".

When asked about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca commented: "Certainly the conditioning element is important. When you are not 100% it's difficult to compete, especially in this competition."

"Joao Pedro is not a classic center-forward that is going to score 20 goals every season. Joao's a fantastic player, he's going to find the net and give assists but he's a distinctive forward to those who net 20 to 25 goals annually like [Robert] Lewandowski, [Kylian] Mbappe or the Norwegian goal machine."

Additional Concerns in Chelsea's Forward Line

Chelsea face broader problems beyond their attackers and Joao Pedro's drought.

Attacker Cole Palmer has completed two games all term and is not anticipated to feature from a lower body issue until December.

Attacking midfielder Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a £52m package, has failed to score and one goal contribution in ten games. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m acquisition from Manchester United, has a single strike in seven games and induced an opposition error against Benfica.

Estevao Willian, the teenager, has entertained since arriving from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has only two goals and one assist - paralleling academy forward Tyrique George.

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

Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from left-back last season, is still to score this term. Winger Pedro Neto has one score and two goal contributions in his last two games, but prior to that scored only once in the initial ten fixtures.

After thirteen fixtures in various cups no striker has over two strikes, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four goals.

Questioned whether a absence of prolific strikers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca said: "Absolutely, yes. We repeatedly stated that the front five at the offense, we need numerous strikes from each, in the way we have done last campaign."

Maresca has found ways to be competitive despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are second place for free-kick and corner scores in the top flight, one behind Arsenal. In furthermore, the West London club are the initial club to have 10 different scorers in the first division this term.

Can Chelsea's Striker Jinx End?

Some Chelsea fans believe the striker's jersey - taken by Delap in the transfer window - is jinxed. It had been unoccupied since last year, and footballers who donned it since 2006 have had goal droughts, including:

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three strikes in twenty-one matches
• Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - fifteen strikes in fifty-eight matches
• Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 goals in 82 appearances
• Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five goals in nineteen matches
• Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 scores in 72 appearances
• Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one score in twelve matches
• Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 scores in one hundred seventy-two matches
• Franco di Santo (2008-10) - zero strikes in 16 games
• Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one score in 25 games
• Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - no goals in twenty matches

A midfielder and defender are part of this selection, and some would suggest Abraham ended the jinx with his record, while legendary strikers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thrived with nine on their back.

But Delap was unfazed when asked about the curse. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he stated at the international tournament.

"At the end of the day it's a number on the back of your kit. It's just a number that has always been related to strikers so it's something that I enjoy and there's no pressure."