This season is starting to look a lot like the previous one for Chelsea and Enzo Maresca.
Around this time last year in the 2024/25 campaign, things began to go wrong for Chelsea after a promising start to the season.
Fast forward to now, and it is a familiar story following disappointing results against Bournemouth and Leeds United and Liam Delap’s shoulder injury.
Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro silenced by Bournemouth…
Where do you think Pedro's best position is?
Cole Palmer of Chelsea and Alex Scott of Bournemouth during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Chelsea
Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
Player Minutes xG Key passes Shots Dribbles (successful)
Cole Palmer 58 0.07 1 1 3 (2)
Joao Pedro 32 0 0 0 0 (0)
Via Sofascore
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It is an injury that will see Delap spend even more time on the sidelines following the hamstring issue he sustained earlier in the season.
Enzo Maresca after Liam Delap is sent off during Chelsea against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup.
Photo by DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images
Enzo Maresca should leave Joao Pedro in the centre-forward position at Chelsea
Joao Pedro started Chelsea’s 0-0 draw with Bournemouth on the bench, but he could find himself back in the first XI very soon after this latest setback for Delap.
According to journalist Alex Crook, Delap could miss up to eight weeks of action in a blow to Enzo Maresca.
The Chelsea manager could turn to Pedro Neto, who started up front in Chelsea’s 3-0 victory over Barcelona, or Marc Guiu. But all things considered, Pedro is probably the best option.
He has played in the No.10 role at times this season, but Maresca would be wise to utilise him as a No.9, with no Delap around, and keep him there.
Pedro has more experience than someone like Guiu and can find the back of the net when he is at the top of his game. His finishes against Fluminense and Paris Saint-Germain at the Club World Cup were sublime.
Neto is in much better form at the moment, but he has been really dangerous on the wing for Chelsea this season. It is best to keep him there.
Chelsea players Pedro Neto, Estevao Willian, Joao Pedro and Dario Essugo before the pre-season friendly against AC Milan.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Strikers Chelsea could target in the future
Even before Delap’s injury, it looked like Chelsea were already in need of another striker. The 22-year-old was struggling for goals, while Pedro has not been consistent.
With that in mind, the Blues may very well have to sign a new centre-forward at some point in 2026.
Chelsea hold interest in Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez, so that is one potential option for them, while Dusan Vlahovic is out of contract next summer and has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in the past.
Julian Alvarez, Dusan Vlahovic and Jean Philippe-Mateta could all be available in 2026. Who would you like to see Chelsea sign?
Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and Marc Guiu did not convince at all in the 0-0 draw with Bournemouth
Julian Alvarez playing for Atletico Madrid
Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images
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A lot will depend on whether Delap can find form after he recovers from his injury, where Maresca envisions Pedro playing going forward and what is expected of Emanuel Emegha. If there are issues there, do not be surprised to see Chelsea splash even more money on another No.9.
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