EPL: Maresca confirms ‘quite bad’ Delap shoulder injury
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that striker Liam Delap’s latest injury “looks quite bad”, compounding what has already been a difficult campaign for the 22-year-old.
Delap was forced off after 30 minutes in the goalless draw at Bournemouth with what is suspected to be a dislocated shoulder.
Another injury blow for the Blues
The incident occurred during a tussle with defender Marcos Senesi at a corner, moments after Delap had clashed with the Bournemouth centre-back off the ball.
The striker immediately signalled for treatment and was replaced by teenager Marc Guiu.
Liam Delap sustained the injury during the goalless draw vs Bournemouth – Getty image
Maresca expressed frustration at the setback post-match.
“He was already out for two months and now he has to be out again,” he said. “We don’t know for how long, but it looks quite bad.”
Delap had only recently returned from a hamstring injury sustained against Fulham in August.
Mixed start to Chelsea career
Chelsea triggered Delap’s £30m release clause in June, beating Manchester United, Newcastle and Everton to his signature after a 12-goal league campaign with relegated Ipswich.
He impressed early, recording a debut assist at the Club World Cup and scoring in his third appearance.
However, Joao Pedro’s blistering start, five goals in his first five games, pushed Delap out of the starting XI. His subsequent hamstring layoff stalled his game time further.
Discipline and adaptation concerns
Delap’s return against Wolves in October ended with a red card that Maresca labelled “very stupid” and “embarrassing”.
The striker apologised to teammates, but concerns linger after he finished last season with the joint-most bookings in the league.
There are also tactical challenges. Maresca has previously noted Delap is most effective running into space, a trait that doesn’t always suit Chelsea’s possession-driven structure.
Goal drought continues
Although relieved when Delap broke his 13-game drought against Barcelona in November, Maresca is still waiting for his first Premier League goal of the season. The striker has two goals in 17 appearances since joining Chelsea.
He was signed as a direct replacement for Nicolas Jackson, now on loan at Bayern Munich.
