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Forward Liam Delap is recovering from a thigh problem at a important period for Chelsea.

The West London club lost 2-1 against surprise package Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on the weekend, with head coach Enzo Maresca blaming "a lack of creativity" and his team's delivery being "not the best".

Chelsea's forwards are having difficulty finding the net and assists as Delap makes his comeback in the Carabao Cup against lowly Wolves on Wednesday (19:45 GMT), having been absent for 10 matches since sustaining the injury in the success over Fulham in last month.

Maresca stated the emerging talent will be gradually introduced "gradually", and the summer signing's availability is important for a team facing criticism over their mixed results, which has left the cup competitions their primary hope of winning a trophy this term.

Delap to Share Load With Joao Pedro

Chelsea brought in Delap from the Championship side for a £30 million fee despite interest from the Red Devils, the Magpies and Everton.

Yet the Three Lions prospect was behind expensive recruit Joao Pedro in the pecking order at this recent international tournament - and with valid cause.

Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three appearances as Chelsea claimed the first edition in the USA. The Brazil striker scored another two and three goal contributions in his initial four top-flight matches after joining from Brighton.

More of late, however, Joao Pedro has failed to score in his past seven matches. Maresca stated he is one of a trio of players - along with engine room operators Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who currently need to be "protected".

When queried about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca commented: "Definitely the physical part is vital. When you are not fully fit it's hard to perform, particularly 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 create chances but he's a distinctive forward to those who net 20 to 25 goals annually like [Robert] Lewandowski, [Kylian] Mbappe or [Erling] Haaland."

Additional Concerns in Chelsea's Forward Line

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

Winger Cole Palmer has played two full matches all campaign and is not anticipated to feature from a lower body issue until December.

Attacking midfielder Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, signed from Borussia Dortmund for a fee rising to £52m, has failed to score and a single assist in 10 matches. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m acquisition from Manchester United, has a single strike in seven outings and caused an own goal against Benfica.

Estevao Willian, eighteen, has shown promise since moving from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has just two strikes and one setup - paralleling homegrown talent Tyrique George.

Striker Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece.

Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from full-back last campaign, is still to score this term. Wide man Pedro Neto has one score and two goal contributions in his previous two fixtures, but earlier found the net just once in the opening ten matches.

After thirteen games in all competitions no attacker has over two strikes, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's shared top goalscorers with four strikes.

Asked whether a lack of natural goalscorers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca stated: "Certainly, yes. We frequently mentioned that the quintet of attackers at the offense, we need multiple goals per player, in the manner we achieved last season."

Maresca has found ways to be competitive despite goal-scoring variability. Chelsea are runner-up in set-piece goals in the English top division, trailing by one Arsenal. In addition, the West London club are the initial club to have ten distinct net-finders in the first division this campaign.

Will Chelsea's Number Nine Curse Be Broken?

Some Chelsea followers feel the striker's jersey - assigned to Delap in the off-season - is hexed. It had been vacant since last year, and footballers who sported it since the mid-2000s have had goal droughts, including:

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three goals in 21 games
• Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 goals in fifty-eight matches
• Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 goals in eighty-two matches
• Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five strikes in nineteen matches
• Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 goals in 72 games
• Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - a single strike in twelve matches
• Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 scores in 172 games
• Franco di Santo (2008-10) - no goals in 16 appearances
• Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - a single strike in 25 games
• Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - no goals in 20 games

A central player and defensive specialist are among those listed, and some would contend Abraham ended the jinx with his performance, while iconic forwards such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink flourished with the striker's jersey.

But Delap was unmoved when asked about the jinx. "I'm not one [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 shirt. It's just a digit that has always been related to forwards so it's something that I appreciate and there's zero expectation."