Chelsea will not be looking forward to their game against David Moyes’ Everton side this weekend.
Enzo Maresca’s men are on a bad run of form, while the Toffees are flying right now.
Chelsea will also be without several players, including Liam Delap, Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia. Caicedo is still serving his three-match suspension, while the other two are injured.
Chelsea’s stunning home record vs Everton 🔥
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Chelsea have not lost any of their previous 30 Premier League home games against Everton, winning 17 and drawing 13!
General view of Stamford Bridge
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The good news for Chelsea is that Delap’s injury is not as bad as first feared.
Chelsea striker Liam Delap on the move
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David Moyes wanted Liam Delap before Chelsea move
Had Moyes had his way, Delap would be playing for Everton right now instead of their upcoming opponents.
The Toffees wanted to buy the striker before the start of this season, with Moyes publicly confirming the club’s interest.
In a press conference back in May, which was shared by Goal, the former Manchester United boss said: “He would be one who we would certainly have an interest in. I think what he probably has to look at will probably be bigger than what we are. So, we would certainly be interested if he was interested in us. That’s for sure.”
RANK: Chelsea’s striker options
Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Pedro Neto, Marc Guiu and Tyrique George
Pedro Neto of Chelsea FC (R) celebrates with his teammate Liam Delap (L)
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With Delap injured, Joao Pedro and Marc Guiu are Maresca’s only other natural centre-forward options.
Pedro led the line for Chelsea in their 2-1 defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League on Tuesday night and managed to score. He will be expected to start up front again when Moyes’ men make the trip to Stamford Bridge.
Everton manager David Moyes applauds the supporters
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Liam Delap would have been a better fit for Everton
It is too early to write off Delap, and it would not be fair. He has missed a lot of games because of injury.
When the 22-year-old has played, there have been some matches where he has shown a lot of promise.
Delap recently scored in Chelsea’s 3-0 win against Barcelona, while he had a terrific shot that took Gianluigi Donnarumma everything to stop in the summer’s Club World Cup final.
Looking at his playing style, though, you cannot help but feel that Delap is a better fit for Everton. He is a strong and physical centre-forward who relishes a battle against a centre-half. Moyes’ more direct approach definitely would have suited him, while Everton supporters really take to that kind of No.9.
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