Chelsea fans have received a welcome boost with the news that Liam Delap is nearing his return from injury. The 22-year-old forward, who joined the Blues in the summer, has been sidelined since late August after suffering a hamstring injury during a match against Fulham.
Manager Enzo Maresca provided an encouraging update on Friday, stating that Delap has resumed training with the team. While the Sunderland game on Saturday comes too soon for his return, Maresca hinted that Delap could be available for selection in the upcoming EFL Cup fourth-round match against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday. "Liam took part of the session yesterday with the team for the first time," Maresca said. "He is not going to be available for tomorrow but probably for the next one." When asked to clarify whether Delap could feature against Wolves, Maresca responded, "He can be available".
Delap's injury had initially impacted Chelsea's plans, with the club recalling Marc Guiu from a loan spell at Sunderland to bolster their attacking options. Nicolas Jackson's potential move to Bayern Munich was also affected before he eventually sealed the transfer. Guiu, since his return, has impressed, even scoring against Ajax in the Champions League.
Maresca also commented on Guiu, describing him as a "typical No.9". "He is physically strong, a box player," Maresca added, while also acknowledging areas for improvement and expressing his commitment to helping the young player develop.
Delap's return presents Maresca with interesting choices upfront, adding to the competition alongside Guiu and Joao Pedro. Pedro, who can play as a No. 9 or a No. 10, had to adjust his role to cover for Delap's absence. With four fixtures scheduled within eleven days upon Delap's return, he will have ample opportunities to regain valuable minutes.
The Chelsea squad has been performing well recently, securing four consecutive wins across all competitions. As they prepare to face a challenging series of matches in November against Tottenham, Barcelona, and Arsenal, Delap's return could provide a significant boost to their attacking prowess.
