Chelsea striker Liam Delap made just three appearances this season before picking up a substantial hamstring injury at the end of August.
Liam Delap, who joined the Blues from Ipswich Town in the summer, impressed as a conventional centre-forward at the Club World Cup. Without a doubt, his absence has been felt within the squad.
Chelsea recalled Marc Guiu from his loan at Sunderland near the end of the transfer window, but Joao Pedro has largely been leading the line.
According to The Evening Standard, Delap’s injury could keep him out until the turn of the New Year. Blues supporters will be encouraged by the latest unexpected news, though.
Liam Delap receives treatment from Chelsea's medical staff after picking up an injury against Fulham in the Premier League.
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Liam Delap injury boost
Journalist Simon Phillips has reported via Substack that Delap’s recovery from his injury is going well.
Apparently, the forward’s progress has been positive. In fact, one source has said that he could be back on the grass by the end of October/early November.
Phillips stressed that it doesn’t mean he will be back in the squad by that time, but his recovery is going better and quicker than first expected. There is a good chance that he appears in a matchday squad by the end of 2025.
Chelsea’s £30m deal (BBC) for Delap has the potential to be an excellent piece of business for a 22-year-old attacker with huge potential. Hopefully, he can return to prove just that during the second half of the 2025-26 season.
Rory Delap shared his son is gutted by his injury so early into the season. The sooner he’s back, the better for Chelsea because he gives them something different in attack.
Chelsea striker Liam Delap picks up an injury against Fulham in the Premier League.
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
Liam Delap will break No.9 curse
We’re confident that Delap can be the player to break the No.9 curse that exists at Stamford Bridge.
As you can see above, many high-profile strikers have flopped for Chelsea while wearing the No.9 kit. However, Delap’s arrival as a young and hungry frontman feels different. On paper, he could be the right profile to gel everything together in Enzo Maresca’s side.
It should give the squad a major lift when he’s back fit again to fight it out for the starting role at striker.