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Striker Liam Delap is returning from a hamstring injury at a important period for Chelsea.

The Blues suffered a 2-1 defeat against unexpected challengers Sunderland at their stadium on the weekend, with manager Enzo Maresca blaming "a lack of creativity" and his team's delivery being "subpar".

Chelsea's forwards are finding it hard to score and key passes as Delap makes his comeback in the EFL Cup against struggling Wolves on Wednesday (evening kickoff), having been absent for 10 matches since suffering the setback in the victory over Fulham in the summer.

Maresca stated the emerging talent will be slowly integrated "slowly", and the new recruit's return is important for a club facing questions over their inconsistency, which has left the domestic cups their most realistic chance of winning a trophy this term.

Delap to Ease Burden On Joao Pedro

Chelsea signed Delap from the Tractor Boys for a £30 million fee despite interest from Old Trafford club, the Magpies and the Toffees.

Yet the England Under-21s forward was below £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 America. The Brazil striker notched additional strikes and three assists in his initial four top-flight matches after arriving from Brighton.

More recently, however, Joao Pedro has not scored in his last seven games. Maresca revealed he is one of a trio of players - along with engine room operators Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who currently need to be "shielded".

When questioned about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca remarked: "For sure the fitness aspect is important. When you are not fully fit it's difficult to compete, notably in this competition."

"Joao Pedro is not a number nine that is going to score 20 goals each year. Joao's a excellent footballer, he's going to get goals and create chances but he's a alternative type of striker to those who net 20 to 25 goals each year like the Polish striker, the French superstar or the City striker."

Wider Problems in Chelsea's Forward Line

Chelsea face wider issues beyond their forwards and Joao Pedro's goalless run.

Forward Cole Palmer has played two full matches all term and is unlikely to be back from a groin problem until the winter.

Attacking midfielder Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, acquired from Borussia Dortmund for a potential £52 million deal, has failed to score and one assist in ten games. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m acquisition from Manchester United, has one score in seven outings and caused an own goal against Benfica.

Estevao Willian, eighteen, has entertained since moving from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has merely two scores 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 got seven from defensive position last season, is yet to find the net this season. Attacking player Pedro Neto has one score and two assists in his past two matches, but before that got only one goal in the first 10 games.

After thirteen games in various cups no forward has above two scores, with engine room operators Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four strikes.

Questioned whether a shortage of clinical finishers means duties need distributing, Maresca commented: "Absolutely, yes. We frequently mentioned that the quintet of attackers at the front, we need six, seven, eight, nine, 10 goals each, in the fashion we managed last term."

Maresca has developed approaches to challenge despite offensive unpredictability. Chelsea are runner-up in free-kick and corner scores in the top flight, trailing by one Arsenal. In furthermore, the West London club are the initial club to have 10 different scorers in the top flight this campaign.

Will Chelsea's Number Nine Curse Be Broken?

Some Chelsea fans think the center-forward number - claimed by Delap in the transfer window - is cursed. It had been vacant since recently, and players who sported it since 2006 have had goal droughts, including:

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - a trio of scores in 21 games
• Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 scores in 58 games
• Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - thirty strikes in 82 appearances
• Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five scores in 19 appearances
• Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 scores in 72 games
• Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one score in 12 games
• Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 goals in one hundred seventy-two matches
• Franco di Santo (2008-10) - zero strikes in sixteen matches
• Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one score in twenty-five matches
• Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - failed to score in 20 appearances

A central player and backline player are among those listed, and some would suggest Abraham broke the curse with his record, while iconic forwards such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink flourished with the striker's jersey.

But Delap was unconcerned when queried about the curse. "I'm not one [who believes in curses]," he commented at the Club World Cup.

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