Worsens

Chelsea supervisor Enzo Maresca fears striker Liam Delap’s shoulder damage is “fairly dangerous” after he got here off within the

The 22-year-old’s season has gone from dangerous to worse after he suffered a suspected dislocated shoulder whereas dragging down Marcos Senesi throughout a nook.

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The incident appeared to stem from Delap partaking in a bodily battle with Senesi, having clashed with the Italian off the ball and catching him with a stray hand moments earlier.

When requested about Delap’s newest setback, after he was changed by teenager Marc Guiu within the thirtieth minute, Maresca mentioned: “Sadly he was already out for 2 months and he must be out once more.

“We do not know for the way lengthy, however it seems fairly dangerous, his shoulder.”

It’s doubtless his second vital damage of the season, after pulling a hamstring whereas sprinting for a go in opposition to Fulham in August.

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Delap’s struggles since summer time transfer

Chelsea beat to signal Delap in June.

The Blues activated his £30m launch clause, which seemed good worth after he scored 12 objectives in 37 video games for relegated Ipswich final season,

He arrange a objective on his debut in opposition to LAFC on the Membership World Cup, and scored in his third look in opposition to ES Tunis within the group stage of the match, which Chelsea received.

Nonetheless, fellow new signing Joao Pedro took his place after scoring 5 objectives in his first 5 begins, together with a powerful lobbed end within the 3-0 Membership World Cup closing win over Paris St-Germain.

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With Pedro in favour, Delap then suffered that critical hamstring damage in opposition to Fulham in August, which dominated him out for 2 months.

On his return within the Carabao Cup in opposition to Wolves in October, Maresca known as his pink card for a push on Yerson Mosquera and barge into Emmanuel Agbadou

Delap then apologised to his team-mates publicly and privately, however there are issues over self-discipline given he obtained the joint-most bookings (12) within the Premier League final season.

One other difficulty for Delap is adapting to Chelsea’s possession-heavy model of play, regardless of having labored efficiently with Maresca in Manchester Metropolis’s under-21 title-winning staff in 2020-21.

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“Liam is a quantity 9 who wants area, must assault in behind and battle,” Maresca mentioned final month. “In opposition to groups in a low block, it is tougher as a result of there is no such thing as a area to assault.”

Maresca additionally mentioned Delap “wanted” his first objective of the season, and was relieved when he ended his 13-game drought by scoring the third in a 3-0 win over Barcelona in late November.

But Delap stays with no Premier League objective in eight appearances, with simply two in 17 matches throughout all competitions since becoming a member of Chelsea.

He successfully changed Nicolas Jackson, now on mortgage at Bayern Munich, after the Senegal ahead was frozen out in his previous few months on the membership.

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Bullish Maresca stays unconcerned

Maresca dismissed wider issues about Chelsea’s assault regardless of misfiring in opposition to Bournemouth.

The Blues had scored in every of their previous 13 league matches because the opening day of the season, and their assault stays third behind solely Manchester Metropolis and Arsenal for xG (anticipated objectives) after 14 video games.

“I feel it was a recreation the place we lacked a bit little bit of high quality within the closing third,” Maresca mentioned. “For me, we made many errors. We missed some passes within the closing third, moments the place we may shoot as an alternative of crossing.

“However sure, total, when you find yourself not capable of win, we mentioned many instances that it is essential that we do not lose.”

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On star attacker Cole Palmer, who made his first begin since 20 September, Maresca added: “I feel Cole was fairly good on that, you already know – performed half an hour the opposite day, performed one hour right now.

“So now it is essential that he can construct the bodily situation.”

That bullish perspective was additional matched by a telling response when Maresca was requested if Chelsea’s title hopes have been over. “My message after Arsenal was that if in February or March we’re the place we have been, we’re in a title race,” he replied.

“It is a good distance, too many video games till then, so it is tough. However once more, the desk is so tight. You win two video games in a row and also you’re there. If you cannot, you drop a bit bit.”

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Chelsea narrowed the hole on leaders Arsenal to eight factors by taking some extent in opposition to Bournemouth following their defeat at Aston Villa. They continue to be narrowly within the prime 4 on 25 factors after 14 video games, with Champions League qualification the primary goal earlier than the season.