Chelsea forward Liam Delap is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury during Saturday’s 2-0 win over Fulham.
Head coach Enzo Maresca confirmed on TNT Sports that the 21-year-old will be out for “six to eight weeks” with what he described as “this type of injury.”
The setback comes as Chelsea are already sweating on the fitness of Cole Palmer, who missed the Fulham clash as well as the previous league outing.
While Delap’s absence had little effect on the eventual 2-0 win, secured through goals from Joao Pedro and Enzo Fernandez, Maresca will be increasingly concerned by the growing injury list in his squad.
Delap pulled up clutching his hamstring midway through the first half at Stamford Bridge as he chased a ball in behind the Fulham defence.
He immediately signalled to the bench before being replaced by academy graduate Tyrique George, heading straight down the tunnel for assessment.
In his pre-match press conference, he had already warned that Chelsea might suffer this type of situation due to the team’s late involvement in the Club World Cup this summer.
Those words proved prophetic as Delap joined Levi Colwill, who has been ruled out for months, on the treatment table.
Compounding matters, Chelsea on Saturday sanctioned a loan move for Nicolas Jackson to Bayern Munich.
With Delap sidelined, it means Joao Pedro is currently the only senior striker available, although George deputised admirably against Fulham.
