Chelsea forward Liam Delap is back in training after recovering from a hamstring injury but will not be available for this weekend’s Premier League home game against promoted Sunderland, manager Enzo Maresca said on Friday.
The 22-year-old, who moved to Stamford Bridge from Ipswich Town for £30million in June, suffered the injury during a 2-0 home win over Fulham in August.
He was initially expected to miss six to eight weeks, but Maresca later suggested the Englishman could be out until December.
“We have no new injuries,” Maresca told reporters ahead of Saturday’s match. «Liam took part in the team session for the first time yesterday. He won’t be available for tomorrow, but probably will be available for the next one.»
Chelsea will visit struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers in the fourth round of the League Cup on Wednesday.
«The schedule could also change a little bit. It depends on how they improve or deteriorate from the first time they send me that, but he could be available for that (Wolves),» Maresca added.
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Maresca said Marc Guiu, who was recalled from a season-long loan at Sunderland after Delap’s injury, is ready to start a league match for Chelsea.
The 19-year-old Spanish forward initially struggled to impress Maresca in training but has since turned a corner.
Guiu joined Chelsea from Barcelona last year.
«A few weeks ago we had a conversation with Marc. I told him about the way he trained. I didn’t like it. He had to change. He changed and he got a chance,» Maresca said.
When asked what he didn’t like, the Italian replied: «He didn’t train well. Overall… That’s why young players sometimes sit one way or another. You have to go with them slowly, slowly.»
«But since we talked, it stopped. It’s fantastic. It’s working really well.»
Looking for a fifth straight win in all competitions after Wednesday’s 5-1 defeat to Ajax in the Champions League, Chelsea are preparing for a tough challenge against Sunderland.
Frenchman Regis Le Bris’ side have collected 14 points from their first eight games and are in seventh place, one point behind champions Liverpool and level with fifth-placed Chelsea.
«They have shown since the start of the season that they are a very good team. They play together, they work together. They have the same points as us, so they show how well they are doing,» Maresca said.
«I spent one season at Leicester (City) in the Championship and I love the Championship. I have been watching Sunderland since last season when the manager arrived. They play good football, they are physically strong, so I like the way they do things.»
Published on October 24, 2025
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