Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Liam Delap could be out of contention for a while with the injury he sustained at the weekend.
The striker was forced off midway through the first half of the 0-0 draw against Bournemouth on Saturday with what could be a dislocated shoulder. Asked about Delap’s condition, Maresca said:
“Unfortunately, he was already out for two months [with a hamstring injury], and he has to be out again. We don’t know for how long, but it looks quite bad, his shoulder.”
Fans on X have not been impressed with Delap’s form and fitness since his £30m move from Ipswich in the summer:
Speedy recovery to but I don't think we'll miss him tbf
— chippy (@coldldn10) December 6, 2025
Another broja
— OLAWALE (@Tiger__1960) December 6, 2025
Sell him to stoke city ,that’s his level
— TallBlackBoy (@___Selorm) December 7, 2025
We might be needing emegha in January but let's see how Marc guiu does
— halal blues (@ChartwithAminu_) December 6, 2025
He has offered nothing to the team so he won't be missed
— Blue blood 💙 (@Oluwatobz24) December 6, 2025
Doesn't matter, no difference
— Senad Topcagic (@TopcagicSenad) December 6, 2025
Delap has spent a lot of time on the treatment table
The 22-year-old was sidelined between September and November with a torn hamstring that he picked up against Fulham.
Delap has played eight games since returning to fitness, but he has scored just 1 goal, which came during the 3-0 win over Barcelona.
Could Chelsea sign a striker in January?
It’s unlikely that the Blues will pursue a deal for a high-profile number nine, but there is a chance that they could bring forward a deal for Strasbourg’s Emmanuel Emegha.
The Dutchman is currently set to make the switch to Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, so it remains to be seen if the move could be fast-tracked so he can arrive early in the New Year instead.
Read more about the Chelsea First Team Squad for 2025/26 here
