Liam Delap's return date from injury confirmed

A return date for forward Liam Delap for Chelsea has been speculated in a series of reports that have emerged online.

Chelsea striker Liam Delap is targeting a November return after scans confirmed he will not need surgery on the hamstring injury sustained before the international break.

Delap limped off during the win over Fulham, with manager Enzo Maresca initially predicting an absence of around eight weeks. Further checks have since ruled out surgery, with the 21-year-old expected back in training in mid-November 2025, just in time for the start of Chelsea’s packed festive run.

That timeline points towards the Blues’ Premier League trip to Burnley on November 22, three days before a Champions League clash with Barcelona, as a realistic return fixture. Should recovery stay on course, Delap will miss roughly 13 matches, including key encounters with Bayern Munich, Manchester United, and Liverpool.

Chelsea recalled Marc Guiu from his loan at Sunderland to cover during Delap’s absence, while João Pedro will continue to lead the line. The club resisted signing a replacement striker, with Strasbourg’s Emmanuel Emegha being monitored for a possible Stamford Bridge role as early as next season.

While Delap’s situation appears positive, Chelsea have been dealt a blow elsewhere. Young midfielder Dário Essugo has undergone thigh surgery after withdrawing from Portugal’s U21 squad, with no timeline yet confirmed for his return.

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