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Forward Liam Delap is recovering from a thigh problem at a time of need for Chelsea.

The West London club lost 2-1 against surprise package Sunderland at their home ground on Saturday, with boss Enzo Maresca blaming "a lack of creativity" and his side's crossing being "subpar".

Chelsea's strikers are struggling for goals and goal contributions as Delap returns in the Carabao Cup against struggling Wolves on midweek (19:45 GMT), having been absent for 10 matches since suffering the setback in the victory over Fulham in last month.

Maresca stated the 22-year-old will be gradually introduced "slowly", and the new recruit's comeback is important for a side facing scrutiny over their mixed results, which has left the domestic cups their most realistic chance of winning a trophy this campaign.

Delap to Share Load With Joao Pedro

Chelsea signed Delap from the Tractor Boys for £30m despite interest from Old Trafford club, Newcastle United and Everton.

Yet the young English striker was behind £55m signing Joao Pedro in the pecking order at this summer's Club World Cup - and with solid justification.

Joao Pedro scored three goals in three matches as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the United States. The Seleção attacker scored another two and three assists in his first four Premier League games after arriving from Brighton.

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

When queried about Joao Pedro's decline in performance, Maresca said: "For sure the physical part is crucial. When you are not at peak condition it's hard to perform, especially in this league."

"Joao Pedro is not a traditional striker that is going to score 20 goals each year. Joao's a excellent footballer, he's going to score and provide assists but he's a distinctive forward to players who get 20 to 25 goals each year like the Bayern legend, the PSG forward or the City striker."

Broader Issues in Chelsea's Offense

Chelsea confront additional challenges beyond their forwards and Joao Pedro's goalless run.

Attacker Cole Palmer has played two full matches all term and is not anticipated to feature from a groin problem until next month.

Winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, acquired from Borussia Dortmund for a fee rising to £52m, has failed to score and one assist in ten games. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m recruit from Manchester United, has one score in seven games and caused an own goal against Benfica.

Estevao Willian, 18, has shown promise since arriving from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has only two goals and one setup - paralleling youth product Tyrique George.

Striker Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have one goal each.

Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from defensive position last campaign, is without a goal this term. Winger Pedro Neto has one goal and two setups in his previous two fixtures, but earlier scored only once in the initial ten fixtures.

After thirteen games in all competitions no striker has above two scores, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's shared top goalscorers with four.

Asked whether a absence of prolific strikers means duties need distributing, Maresca said: "Certainly, yes. We repeatedly stated that the front five at the offense, we need multiple goals per player, in the manner we achieved last campaign."

Maresca has discovered methods to compete despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are second for set-piece goals in the Premier League, trailing by one Arsenal. In addition, the West London club are the pioneering side to have ten distinct net-finders in the first division this season.

Will Chelsea's Number Nine Curse Be Broken?

Some Chelsea fans feel the number nine shirt - taken by Delap in the off-season - is hexed. It had been vacant since last year, and players who donned it since the mid-2000s have struggled for goals, including:

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three goals in 21 games
• Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - fifteen strikes in fifty-eight matches
• Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 scores in eighty-two matches
• Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five scores in 19 games
• Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - twenty-four strikes in 72 games
• Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one score in 12 appearances
• Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 scores 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 twenty matches

A engine room operator and defensive specialist are part of this selection, and some would suggest Abraham broke the curse with his record, while famous attackers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled with the striker's jersey.

But Delap was unmoved when asked about the jinx. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he stated at the Club World Cup.

"At the end of the day it's a digit on the shirt of your kit. It's just a digit that has always been related to forwards so it's something that I like and there's no added burden."