Liam Delap’s shoulder injury has given Chelsea a decision to make ahead of the January transfer window, but they do not intend on changing their plans.
The 22-year-old started away at Bournemouth on Saturday but had to be taken off just after the half-hour mark.
The former Ipswich Town forward fell awkwardly after challenging with Cherries defender Marcos Senesi and was clearly in pain.
The extent of the shoulder injury Delap has suffered has not yet been confirmed, but Blues boss Enzo Maresca suggested it could be a substantial period out of the side for the Englishman, having already been sidelined earlier this season with a hamstring problem.
‘Unfortunately he was already out for two months and he has to be out again,’ the Italian said after the goalless draw at Bournemouth.
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‘We don’t know for how long, but it looks quite bad, his shoulder.’
It is disappointing news for the player and the club, especially with the busy festive period imminent and a need to bounce back after three games without a win.
One possible option for Chelsea is to bring forward their agreed summer move for Strasbourg striker Emanuel Emegha.
The French team is also a part of the BlueCo multi-club ownership model, so switching the move to January could be possible.
However, The Daily Mail report that Chelsea are not planning on bringing in Emegha early, intending to stick to the summer deal that has already been agreed.
Emegha, 22, has been in good form for Strasbourg so far this season, scoring seven goals in 11 appearances across all competitions.
The Netherlands international is captain of his current team and some fans have already made their disappointment clear over his impending move to Stamford Bridge.
Rather than bring in the Dutchman, Chelsea plan to rely on their current options, with Joao Pedro supported by Marc Guiu.
When Delap suffered his first serious injury of the season Guiu was on loan at Sunderland and Chelsea brough the Spaniard back to the club.
The 19-year-old has been featuring regularly, making seven Premier League appearances and scoring in his only Champions League outing, against Ajax.
Pedro Neto may also be used as a false nine, as he was in the recent 3-0 win over Barcelona in the Champions League.
The former Wolves man is the Blues’ joint top-scorer in all competitions so far this season with five goals, alongside Estevao and Enzo Fernandez.
