Post by : Maya Rahman

Chelsea forward Liam Delap has rejoined team training after overcoming a hamstring injury. The 22-year-old, who made a £30 million move to Chelsea from Ipswich Town in June, sustained the injury during a 2-0 victory against Fulham back in August.

Despite his return to training, manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Delap will not participate in Chelsea's Premier League clash with Sunderland this weekend. However, he may be fit for upcoming encounters, potentially featuring in the League Cup match against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Initially, Delap was expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks due to the injury, with later assessments suggesting a return might be delayed until December. Nonetheless, his involvement in training shows he is on the right path to coming back. Maresca noted, “Liam participated in part of practice yesterday with the team for the first time. He will not be available for tomorrow but is likely for the next match.”

In light of Delap's injury, Chelsea has recalled 19-year-old Spanish striker Marc Guiu from a season-long loan at Sunderland. After a challenging start, Guiu has shown marked improvement. Maresca commended his commitment, saying, “We discussed training with Marc a few weeks back. I pointed out how he was training. He needed to adjust. He did, and now he has a chance.”

The manager explained that Guiu's lack of effort early on hindered earlier opportunities. Since making necessary adjustments, Guiu has demonstrated remarkable work ethic and is ready to make a significant impact in Chelsea's upcoming games. Maresca emphasized the gradual development for young talents and recognized Guiu's positive reaction to feedback.

Chelsea is in pursuit of a fifth consecutive victory across all competitions after a 5-1 triumph over Ajax in the Champions League. This weekend, they face Sunderland, who currently have 14 points from their first eight matches and sit seventh in the league standings. Maresca praised Sunderland’s teamwork and physicality, underlining the formidable challenge they present.

Maresca drew parallels to his time with Leicester City in the Championship, appreciating Sunderland’s strategy under French manager Regis Le Bris. He noted Sunderland's cohesive play, hard work, and both physical and tactical fortitude, which makes them a formidable opponent.

Even with Delap’s absence, Chelsea looks to maintain their winning streak. With Marc Guiu poised to step into the lineup and the team’s strong performance in Europe, Maresca is optimistic about overcoming challenges and achieving continued success in both domestic and European contests.