Chelsea Striker Liam Delap Sidelined With Hamstring Injury Until December

Chelsea Have Been Dealt A Major Blow As Striker Liam Delap Faces A Lengthy Spell On The Sidelines After Suffering A Hamstring Injury Before The International Break. Manager Enzo Maresca Confirmed On Friday That The Young Forward Could Be Out For 10 To 12 Weeks, Ruling Him Out Until At Least December.

Delap, Who Signed From Ipswich For £30 Million ($40 Million) In June, Has Featured In All Three Of Chelsea’s Premier League Matches So Far. His Injury Now Leaves The Blues Short Of Options In The Number Nine Role.

To Cover For The Setback, Chelsea Have Recalled Forward Marc Guiu From His Loan Spell At Sunderland, Following Senegal Striker Nicolas Jackson’s Departure To Bayern Munich On Transfer Deadline Day.

Maresca Still Has Other Forward Options, Including Joao Pedro, Who Joined From Brighton In July, And Academy Talent Tyrique George, Who Featured As A Striker Against Fulham. However, The Chelsea Boss Admitted That Delap’s Absence Is A Significant Blow Ahead Of Saturday’s West London Derby Against Brentford.

“We Have The Injury For Sure Now In This Moment As A Number Nine,” Maresca Told Reporters. “The Only One Is Guiu. And Joao Pedro Also Can Play There. Against Fulham, We Used Tyrique George As A Nine. So We Can Also Think About Him.”

Meanwhile, England International Cole Palmer Is Nearing A Return After Missing Chelsea’s Wins Over West Ham And Fulham With A Groin Injury. Palmer Could Be Involved Against Brentford, Giving Chelsea A Boost As They Look To Maintain Their Winning Momentum.

Key Takeaway: Chelsea’s Depth In Attack Will Be Tested Over The Coming Weeks, But The Return Of Palmer And The Emergence Of Young Talents Like Guiu And George Could Prove Crucial In Keeping Their Season On Track.