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

The Stamford Bridge outfit were beaten 2-1 against unexpected challengers Sunderland at their home ground on the weekend, with manager Enzo Maresca citing "insufficient imagination" and his team's delivery being "below standard".

Chelsea's forwards are finding it hard to score and assists as Delap is back available in the League Cup against lowly Wolves on Wednesday (19:45 GMT), having been absent for 10 matches since picking up the problem in the victory over Fulham in last month.

Maresca stated the emerging talent will be phased in "slowly", and the summer signing's return is important for a club facing criticism over their unpredictability, which has left the cup competitions their most realistic chance of claiming silverware this term.

Delap to Ease Burden On Joao Pedro

Chelsea acquired Delap from the Tractor Boys for a £30 million fee despite interest from Manchester United, St James' Park side and the Toffees.

Yet the young English striker was second to £55 million acquisition Joao Pedro in the team ranking at this global competition - and with solid justification.

Joao Pedro found the net three times in three outings as Chelsea claimed the first edition in the USA. The Brazilian forward notched additional strikes and three assists in his initial four top-flight matches after moving from the Seagulls.

More lately, however, Joao Pedro has not scored in his past seven matches. Maresca said he is one of three squad members - along with midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who at the moment demand to be "handled carefully".

When asked about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca remarked: "Definitely the fitness aspect is vital. When you are not at peak condition it's hard to perform, especially in this league."

"Joao Pedro is not a classic center-forward that is going to reach twenty strikes every season. Joao's a fantastic player, he's going to score and provide assists but he's a different kind of nine to those who net 20 to 25 goals each year like the Polish striker, the French superstar or the City striker."

Broader Issues in Chelsea's Attack

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

Winger Cole Palmer has completed two games all campaign and is not expected return from a groin problem until the winter.

Winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, acquired from Borussia Dortmund for a fee rising to £52m, has no goals and one assist in ten appearances. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40 million signing from Manchester United, has a single strike in seven outings and caused an own goal against Benfica.

Estevao Willian, 18, has entertained since moving from Palmeiras for a potential £51 million deal, but has merely two scores and one assist - equaling youth product Tyrique George.

Forward Marc Guiu and Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte have one score each.

Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from full-back last term, is still to score this campaign. Winger Pedro Neto has one score and two goal contributions in his past two matches, but before that got only one goal in the opening ten matches.

After 13 matches in various cups no attacker has above two scores, with central players Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's shared top goalscorers with four goals.

Asked whether a lack of natural goalscorers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca commented: "Definitely, yes. We frequently mentioned that the front five at the front, we need numerous strikes from each, in the way we have done last campaign."

Maresca has found ways to be competitive despite offensive unpredictability. Chelsea are runner-up in set-piece goals in the English top division, one behind Arsenal. In moreover, the Stamford Bridge side are the initial club to have ten various goalscorers in the Premier League this season.

Will Chelsea's Number Nine Curse Be Broken?

Some Chelsea fans feel the striker's jersey - taken by Delap in the off-season - is cursed. It had been vacant since recently, and footballers who wore it since 2006 have found scoring difficult, including:

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - a trio of scores in 21 appearances
• Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - fifteen strikes in 58 appearances
• Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 goals in 82 games
• Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five strikes in nineteen matches
• Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - twenty-four strikes in 72 games
• Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - a single strike in 12 appearances
• Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): forty-five strikes in 172 appearances
• Franco di Santo (2008-10) - failed to score in 16 appearances
• Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one goal in 25 appearances
• Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - zero strikes in 20 appearances

A central player and defender are among those listed, and some would argue Abraham ended the jinx with his record, while famous attackers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thrived with the striker's jersey.

But Delap was unmoved when queried about the hoodoo. "I'm not the type of person [who believes in curses]," he commented at the international tournament.

"At the end of the day it's a digit on the shirt of your shirt. It's just a number that has traditionally been associated to attackers so it's something that I like and there's no pressure."