By KIERAN GILL, MAIL SPORT REPORTER
Published: 10:47 EST, 9 December 2025 | Updated: 10:47 EST, 9 December 2025
Chelsea hope they will only be missing Liam Delap for a maximum of four weeks following his freak shoulder injury.
Delap picked up his problem in Saturday’s 0-0 Premier League draw at Bournemouth, sparking fears that the 22-year-old could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines as he had his right arm supported in a sling.
While Enzo Maresca declined to give a timeline at his pre-Atalanta press conference, it is now understood that Chelsea believe he can return within four weeks, which would be a boost.
Delap’s injury is not as serious as first feared with a hectic schedule coming fast.
Liam Delap feels the pain at Bournemouth on Saturday as he is forced off with a shoulder blow
For now, Chelsea’s striker options will be Marc Guiu and Joao Pedro, while Pedro Neto and Tyrique George ha also been used as No 9s previously under Maresca.
The Blues will not be looking at bringing in Emmanuel Emegha earlier than expected from Strasbourg, with Daily Mail Sport reporting earlier this week that the plan is still to have him arrive next summer, nor attempting to bring back Nicolas Jackson from his Bayern Munich loan.
After Atalanta in the Champions League, Chelsea face games in various competitions against Everton, Cardiff, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Bournemouth between now and the end of the year. Delap looks likely to miss those.
A Premier League clash with Manchester City will then follow on January 4.