Chelsea suffer major injury setback with Liam Delap | OneFootball

Chelsea striker Liam Delap is expected to be sidelined until November after suffering a hamstring injury during the win over Fulham, according to The Athletic.

His absence is a blow to manager Enzo Maresca, who will now need to rely on other attacking options while Delap recovers.

Initial assessments revealed that no surgery is required. The recovery period is estimated at around ten weeks, with a possible return shortly after November.

Delap is expected to resume training in November, with his comeback timed for the demanding festive run of fixtures in domestic and European competitions.

Delap’s absence is a setback for Chelsea

The injury has already forced Chelsea into a rethink, with the club recalling Marc Guiu from his planned season-long loan at Sunderland.

Delap’s absence means he will miss the start of Chelsea’s Champions League campaign, which includes a difficult trip to Bayern Munich on September 17.

He will also sit out key Premier League clashes against Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

Maresca, who values squad depth, will now need to rotate carefully to cover Delap’s absence during a challenging run of games.

Delap joined Chelsea in a £30 million transfer from Ipswich Town earlier this summer.

He impressed in the Club World Cup, making six appearances and scoring once, before starting two of Chelsea’s opening three Premier League fixtures.

The striker was keen to build on his early form, but the injury setback will delay his progress.

Chelsea fans will hope he can return fit and sharp in time for the busy winter schedule.