Liam Delap to make Chelsea return as new date given by Enzo Maresca

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Chelsea striker Liam Delap has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since the end of August, but Enzo Maresca has just shared when he will return to play again.

After leaving Ipswich Town and signing for Chelsea this summer, Liam Delap immediately helped his new club win the Club World Cup. The English centre-forward then went into the 2025-26 season with plenty of expectation on his young shoulders.

However, the 22-year-old talent picked up an injury in the third match of the campaign.

Although Delap was ‘gutted’ about his injury so early into the season, the positive news is that his comeback is imminent.

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Enzo Maresca gives Liam Delap return date

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca provided an update regarding Delap during Friday morning’s press conference for the upcoming Premier League fixture at home to Sunderland.

Even though he will miss Saturday’s match against Sunderland, he’s expected back next week in time for the Carabao Cup tie away to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Maresca said via Football.London: “Liam took part of the session yesterday with the team for the first time. He is not going to be available for tomorrow but probably for the next one.”

When asked if he could be available to face Wolves, Maresca replied: “He can be available.”

Slowly but surely, Chelsea’s squad is coming together as players come back from their respective injuries. It is frustrating that key figures Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill are on the sidelines for a while, particularly the latter, but Maresca is still working with a very strong group.

It is quite telling that Chelsea made 10 changes to their side in midweek and still beat Ajax 5-1 in the Champions League.

Liam Delap can compete with Marc Guiu

It would be fantastic to see Delap and Marc Guiu, two conventional strikers, compete with each other to lead the line for Chelsea.

Guiu, who’s been promised more minutes, has plenty to offer the Blues team in attack. In fact, we wouldn’t be against the 19-year-old talent starting against Sunderland tomorrow because he provides such a huge threat.

When Delap is back fit and firing, he’s another attacker with a real presence on the pitch. His relationship with Joao Pedro in a pocket behind him is something we want to see much more of in the coming months.