What Enzo Maresca said about Liam Delap after latest Chelsea injury blow
Enzo Maresca has revealed the extent of Liam Delap’s injury woes after he suffered yet another problem that forced him off in the first-half against Bournemouth.
Liam Delap has struggled to make an impact on the Chelsea team since he joined from Ipswich Town in the summer transfer window.
He was trusted by Enzo Maresca from the off in numerous Premier League games at the start of the season before suffering a hamstring injury in August that ruled him out for over two months of action.
Delap has been criticised by Chelsea fans for his performances since returning to the team, yet Maresca put his faith in him once more against Bournemouth as he was handed a start over Joao Pedro.
The 22-year-old was forced off in the 32nd minute at the Vitality Stadium after suffering another blow, and the Chelsea boss has now revealed the latest on the club’s concerns for their star striker.
What Maresca has said about Delap after Bournemouth clash
Speaking to the media following the game, Maresca explained the issue and admitted that it doesn’t look good for his striker once again.
He said: “Unfortunately he was already out two months, he will have to be out again. We don’t know how long, but it looks quite bad, his shoulder.
“We need that kind of number nine, so we are quite unlucky, we tried today with Marc (Guiu)”
Chelsea must improve on Marc Guiu due to Delap’s constant injury woes
Young Spaniard Marc Guiu was introduced in place of Delap against the Cherries, but he failed to make an impact as he looked rusty and off the pace throughout the hour he played for.
Guiu has rarely played in the Premier League this season, with just 190 minutes prior to this game, and it was clear to see why Maresca has not trusted him despite his lofty potential.
Chelsea are set to sign Emanuel Emegha from sister club Strasbourg next summer, but they may well look to complete that deal earlier than expected if Delap is out for an extended period.
They also have Nicolas Jackson out on loan, who has scored five in fifteen games for Bayern Munich this season, so could even seek to cancel that deal next month.
Regardless of how they fix their issues, it is clear that the Blues need better striker depth behind Delap due to his constant injury woes, or they could face a season without Champions League qualification.