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News
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Chelsea make striker transfer call as new number nine revealed after Delap injury
Suraj Radia
- Updated: 9 Dec 2025 08:36 GMT
- 4 min read
News
Chelsea have found their new striker to lead Enzo Maresca’s side after Liam Delap’s latest injury ahead of the January transfer window.
Delap is set for a significant spell on the sidelines after suffering a shoulder injury during Chelsea’s goalless draw against Bournemouth over the weekend, with Maresca describing the issue as ‘quite bad’.
Current ETV
Liam Delap
F (C)
Chelsea
Liam Delap
F (C)
Chelsea
ETV Range
€44.5M - €54.4M
Although Maresca could not confirm how long Delap will be missing for, reports have suggested the 22-year-old could be absent for another eight weeks, having already missed two months of the campaign with a hamstring issue.
The injury led to speculation that Chelsea could bring forward the signing of Emmanuel Emegha, who has agreed to join the Blues at the end of the season from affiliate club Strasbourg.
However, according to the Daily Mail, plans surrounding Emegha have not changed and Chelsea will instead look to options within to replace Delap, with Marc Guiu set to be handed a bigger role in the coming weeks.
Chelsea had recalled Guiu from his loan spell at Sunderland following Delap’s first injury in August and the 19-year-old will provide cover once again as Maresca’s side continue to search for a reliable goalscorer.
Maresca could make January signing if Guiu fails to take Chelsea chance
Delap has had a disappointing start to life at Stamford Bridge after his €35 million transfer from Ipswich in the summer, having failed to score in eight Premier League appearances so far.
With fellow summer signing Joao Pedro also having scored just twice in his last 15 appearances, it had been suggested that Chelsea may accelerate plans to sign Emegha in order to cover for Delap and also provide an injection of goals up front.
However, Chelsea are set to let Emegha – who has four goals in seven Ligue 1 games for Strasbourg this season – see out the campaign in France before linking up with the Blues in the summer.
Guiu will instead be given more first team action despite failing to score in seven league appearances so far this season, although he has netted twice in cup competitions.
Chelsea could also look to sign a striker in January if they cannot find a consistent source of goals, with targets already reportedly being pursued by the club.
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