Liam Delap, who Chelsea signed in the summer, had to leave the Premier League game against Fulham at Stamford Bridge after just 15 minutes. The 21-year-old stopped running after a long ball and grabbed his right hamstring, letting the bench know right away that he couldn’t go on. He walked away on his own, but Enzo Maresca’s team was clearly worried.
Tyrique George, who is only 19 years old, came on to replace Delap, making Chelsea’s attack slightly weaker. That change puts the focus on Joao Pedro, who is now the only senior recognized striker on the team. The Brazilian was brought in to add versatility and style, but without Delap, he may have to do more work and take on more tactical responsibility.
Chelsea could be having a hard time right now because of Delap’s injury. The young forward was bought from Ipswich for £30 million earlier this summer and was expected to play a key role in the rotation throughout the season. He already made a name for himself by scoring at the Club World Cup in June, but now he might have to sit out for a while, which could slow his progress.
After a medical exam, we will know more about the extent of Delap’s injury. However, since Chelsea are already short on attacking depth, this setback could put pressure on Maresca to change his tactics. For now, fans will be on the edge of their seats waiting for news as Stamford Bridge gets ready for what could be another striker crisis.
Chelsea has a problem with their striker depth after Liam Delap injury
Liam Delap limped off with a hamstring injury early on in Chelsea’s game against Fulham, raising questions about the team’s attacking depth. Nicolas Jackson’s loan move to Bayern Munich, which is worth around £13 million with the option to buy, makes the problem worse.
That transfer makes it impossible to bring back the Senegalese forward, which leaves Enzo Maresca with fewer options in attack. Chelsea are now expected to go back into the market before the transfer deadline.
Tyrique George’s introduction, on the other hand, is a reminder of how many young players the club has. In 2024, the teenager made his way into the senior team and scored in both European and domestic competitions. Many people consider him one of Cobham’s most promising young players, and his sudden involvement in the game against Fulham could help speed up his progress.