Chelsea started the season with centre-back being a big issue for them following Levi Colwill’s ACL injury.
Colwill missed Chelsea’s opener against Crystal Palace and has still not returned, while Tosin Adarabioyo was also unavailable for that game.
Fast forward to now, though, and centre-forward has become the problem position at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea had the chance to sign Hugo Ekitike or Benjamin Sesko, why do you think they chose Liam Delap instead?
Both strikers were heavily linked with moves to Stamford Bridge in the summer
Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike smiling and Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko jogging
Credit: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC/Catherine Ivill – AMA via Getty Images
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Liam Delap has picked up another serious injury, which the decision-makers at Chelsea have been discussing.
Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Mark Walter watch on in Club World Cup final
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Chelsea holding talks about signing a striker in January
Delap could miss the next eight weeks of football, so Chelsea may be without the 22-year-old for a while.
It has not been confirmed by the club how long Delap will be out, but they are now discussing whether to sign a new striker in January or not, journalist Simon Phillips has revealed on Si Phillips Talks Chelsea.
The Conference League holders are already set to welcome Emanuel Emegha to the club after agreeing to sign him from Strasbourg next summer.
Here’s what Chelsea’s attack could look like following Liam Delap’s injury. What would you change? 🤔
Chelsea's potential attack without Liam Delap
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They could always bring that deal forward if it is deemed that another striker is needed for the second half of the 2025/26 season.
If not, Enzo Maresca will have to make do with Joao Pedro and Marc Guiu in Delap’s absence, while Pedro Neto is also capable of playing up front.
Liam Delap in action during Burnley v Chelsea - Premier League
Photo by Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Joao Pedro should start up front against Atalanta
After the success of Neto in the striker position against Barcelona, Maresca may be tempted to go with him again in Tuesday’s Champions League tie versus Atalanta. However, the Italian should not be too quick to overlook Pedro.
Pedro has not scored in his last four Premier League appearances for Chelsea so is obviously not in the best form right now. Nevertheless, he is still a capable forward who cost his current employers £60m. A big Champions League game like Tuesday’s is why they signed him.
When Pedro is in top form, he can be a match-winner for Chelsea. The Brazilian showed that in the Club World Cup with his performance against Fluminense.
With more opportunities in the centre-forward position, there is no reason why he cannot replicate that kind of display.
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