Chelsea have been dealt a fresh injury blow with the news that striker Liam Delap is expected to miss the next six to eight weeks of action.
Injury Strikes During Bournemouth Draw
The 22-year-old forward was forced off in clear distress during Chelsea's goalless Premier League draw with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. Delap appeared to sustain the problem after a challenge involving Cherries defender Marcos Senesi, leaving the pitch clutching his shoulder and with his arm subsequently in a sling. He was replaced by Marc Guiu.
Post-match assessments have confirmed a shoulder dislocation, with manager Enzo Maresca providing a worrying initial update. "Unfortunately he was already out for two months and he has to be out again," Maresca said. "We don't know for how long, but it looks quite bad, his shoulder."
A Season Marred by Setbacks
This latest issue represents another significant setback in Delap's challenging first campaign at Stamford Bridge following his £30 million transfer from Ipswich Town last summer. His opportunities have been severely limited, with this being his second major injury.
He previously missed two months with a hamstring problem picked up against Fulham. His return in October was then marred by a sending-off in the Carabao Cup against Wolves for two quick yellow cards, which Maresca labelled "very stupid" and "embarrassing."
When fit, the England U21 international has shown flashes of his potential, most notably scoring the third goal in Chelsea's 3-0 Champions League victory over Barcelona. However, he has been restricted to just eight Premier League appearances so far this season.
What This Means for Chelsea
Delap's absence until likely February leaves Maresca with reduced options in attack. The striker was initially seen as a direct replacement for the loan-departed Nicolas Jackson and faces competition from fellow summer signing Joao Pedro.
Maresca has previously discussed Delap's specific skill set, noting: "Liam is a number nine who needs space, needs to attack in behind and fight. Against teams in a low block, it's more difficult because there is no space to attack."
The extended layoff may at least provide Delap with a period to fully study the tactical demands of his manager, with whom he previously worked in Manchester City's youth setup. For Chelsea, it is a frustrating interruption for a player they invested heavily in, as they hope for a more consistent and injury-free contribution in the new year.
