After leaving the pitch against Bournemouth with his arm in a makeshift sling, the fear that Liam Delap had suffered a serious fracture or a season-ending injury was palpable at Stamford Bridge.
Thankfully, manager Enzo Maresca delivered a small piece of positive news on Monday: Delap has not suffered a fracture to his shoulder.
However, the relief is short-lived, as the Italian boss confirmed the 22-year-old striker is still set for another disheartening spell on the sidelines.
Maresca’s Update: Not Broken, But Still Out
Maresca provided the definitive update from the club's medical assessment ahead of the Champions League clash against Atalanta:
"Liam, fortunately, there is no fracture, which is good news. But in terms of how long he will be out,
we are not sure at this stage, to be honest. Unfortunately, he has already been out two months [this season] and he has to be out again."
While avoiding a fracture means the recovery won't be as complex as first feared, the injury is still severe enough that initial reports suggest a lay-off window of six to eight weeks. This means Delap will likely not feature again until at least late January or early February.
The Double Blow for Delap
This is a crushing setback for Delap, who has endured an incredibly stop-start beginning to his Chelsea career since his summer arrival:
Hamstring Setback: The striker had only recently returned to the starting XI after missing two months earlier this season with a hamstring injury. This latest shoulder issue entirely derails the momentum he was trying to build.
Managerial Backing: Maresca has been vocal in his support for Delap, stating he "knows Liam from many years ago at Manchester City and I don't have any doubts that he will score goals." The manager will now have to find another solution for the crucial festive period.
The Chelsea Crisis Deepens
Delap's absence throws a harsh spotlight on the threadbare nature of Chelsea's attacking options.
With the club desperately needing a consistent number nine, the options are now severely limited for the demanding winter schedule:
Marc Guiu: The young Spaniard replaced Delap on Saturday and is now likely to shoulder the burden as the primary central striker.
Joao Pedro: The Brazilian forward is another option, though his form has been inconsistent.
Cole Palmer: Although Palmer is now back from his own injury, he is being carefully managed and was intentionally excluded from the Atalanta squad due to workload concerns.
The club avoided the worst-case scenario of a fracture, but they are now forced to navigate the most
critical phase of the season with one less striker. The pressure to address the number nine position in the January transfer window has just escalated significantly.
How should Enzo Maresca solve his striker crisis in the short term until Liam Delap returns?