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Chelsea striker Liam Delap could be set for another spell on the sidelines after suffering a shoulder injury in Saturday’s goalless draw at Bournemouth, manager Enzo Maresca has revealed.
Delap was forced off in the 30th minute after a tussle with Bournemouth defender Marcus Senesi during a corner, leaving the pitch using his shirt as a makeshift sling.
Maresca expressed concern over the severity of the injury, suggesting the forward may be sidelined for some time.
The setback compounds Delap’s misfortune, as he had already missed two months at the start of the season following a groin injury sustained against Fulham in August, shortly after his summer move from Ipswich. Having yet to score his first Premier League goal for Chelsea, his absence further hampers Maresca’s attacking options.
“He was already out for two months, and now he has to be out again,” Maresca said. “We don’t know for how long, but it looks quite bad, his shoulder. He’s been unlucky. We need that kind of number nine, and today we had to try it with Marc.”
Chelsea struggled to assert themselves in the first half but improved after the break, with chances falling to Pedro Neto, who forced a strong save from Djordje Petrovic, and Alejandro Garnacho, whose header from Neto’s cross rattled the post.
Cole Palmer, returning from a two-month injury layoff, started for the first time since September but lasted just under an hour.
The England forward’s sole opportunity went begging as Chelsea missed a chance to capitalise on leaders Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa, leaving the Blues eight points adrift in fourth.
“We lacked quality in the final third,” Maresca said. “There were mistakes, missed passes, and moments where we could have shot. Cole did quite well in the hour he played; he needs to rebuild his physical condition. We know we won’t score every game, but we need to improve in those key areas.”
