The gloomy clouds hanging over Stamford Bridge have parted slightly. Chelsea have received a huge boost with news that striker Liam Delap is on track for a remarkably swift recovery from the shoulder injury he sustained against Bournemouth.Initial fears suggested the 22-year-old would be sidelined for up to two months, not featuring again until February. However, subsequent medical scans revealing no fracture have halved that recovery window, meaning Delap is now optimistically targeting a return to action in four weeks.
The Diagnosis: Relief and Optimism
Delap was forced off the pitch in clear distress after a collision on the weekend, prompting immediate concern from manager Enzo Maresca, who admitted the injury "looked quite bad."
The Good News: The injury is understood to involve the acromioclavicular joint (AC joint) in the shoulder, which, critically, will not require surgery. This avoids the long-term rehabilitation and instability that a fracture or full dislocation would cause.
The New Timeline: Instead of a six-to-eight-week absence, the club is hopeful Delap will be back in contention by early to mid-January.
Why This Is a 'Huge Boost' for Maresca
This accelerated timeline is a game-changer for Chelsea, who are facing a severe crisis in the attacking department:
Striker Shortage: With the absence of other key forwards (and an unwillingness to pursue a quick January signing like Emmanuel Emegha, who is already contracted for next summer), Maresca has been forced to rely on unconventional options like João Pedro and even Pedro Neto up front.
Crucial January Fixtures: Delap's expected return means he will likely only miss the remainder of December, putting him back in the squad just in time for a brutal run of early January fixtures, including the crucial Premier League clash against Manchester City (Jan 4th) and potential cup ties.
Restoring Mentality: After a stop-start season plagued by a hamstring issue, the quick return is a massive psychological win for Delap, allowing him to quickly regain the momentum he had started to build before this latest setback.
While Delap's recovery is a huge positive, the fact remains that Chelsea must navigate the critical festive period, including Champions League matches and the build-up to the New Year, without their primary young number nine.However, knowing that the talented striker will be back in a matter of weeks, rather than months, is the injection of hope the Stamford Bridge faithful desperately needed.
Which January fixture will Chelsea need Liam Delap available for most?