Maresca Discloses Seriousness of Delap’s Injury After Chelsea Striker Was Forced off Against Fulham
- Enzo Maresca has confirmed Liam Delap suffered a hamstring injury and will be out for close to two months
- Chelsea faces a striker crisis after selling Christopher Nkunku and nearly losing Nicolas Jackson to Bayern Munich
- Jackson’s loan move to Bayern Munich was blocked as Chelsea recalled him to cover Delap’s absence
Chelsea have been dealt a major blow just three matches into the 2025/26 season as new striker Liam Delap has suffered a serious injury.
Manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that the England striker will face a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury in the club’s 2-0 Premier League win over Fulham at Stamford Bridge.
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The setback comes at a critical point for the Blues, who are already short on attacking options.
Delap faces six to eight weeks out
Delap, who joined Chelsea from Ipswich Town in a £30 million deal, was forced off just 15 minutes into Saturday’s clash against Fulham.
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The 21-year-old striker pulled up suddenly, immediately gesturing to his hamstring before being replaced by Tyrique George.
Speaking after the game, Maresca delivered a worrying update on the striker’s condition.
The Italian tactician later expanded during his press conference captured by Chelsea News, admitting that the injury “doesn’t look good” and confirming the medical team will carry out further tests.
“Hopefully it is not long. In this kind of case, it’s always [usually]… it can be six-eight weeks.
““Liam’s injury doesn’t look good in terms of, he was full speed, hamstring, so that required, like always, weeks.”
Chelsea’s attacking crisis deepens
The injury to Delap has revealed Chelsea’s lack of depth in the striking department.
The Blues only recently sanctioned the sale of Christopher Nkunku to AC Milan, while another forward, Nicolas Jackson, appeared to be on the verge of sealing a loan move to Bayern Munich.
Jackson had travelled to Germany for medicals ahead of a proposed season-long loan with an option to buy.
The deal, worth around €80m, would have seen Chelsea part ways with another senior striker, leaving Maresca with limited options up front.
With Delap sidelined, the timing of Jackson’s departure could not have been worse.
Chelsea block Jackson’s move to Bayern
In response to Delap’s injury, Chelsea have moved swiftly to block Nicolas Jackson’s impending exit, The Athletic reports.
The London club informed Bayern Munich that they will not be proceeding with the deal, instead instructing the Senegalese striker to return to London.
Jackson had fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge, dropping behind Delap and Joao Pedro in Maresca’s pecking order and missing out on pre-season fixtures against Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan.
However, his importance to the squad has increased overnight following Delap’s injury setback.
Jackson’s future remains uncertain, with the transfer window still open and Bayern Munich eager to strengthen their squad.
Chelsea to offload 15 players
In a related development, Legit.ng reported that Chelsea continue their ruthless business in the transfer market and are ready to offload 15 players as they begin preparations for the 2025/26 season.
The Blues have already sold João Felix to Al-Nassr, sold Mathis Amougou to Strasbourg, and loaned Mike Penders, Kendry Paez and Mamadou Sarr to the same club.
Source: Legit.ng
