OVER the last 22 years Chelsea have spent almost £550million on strikers — but only a handful have proven to be a success.
The No9 shirt has been "cursed" at Stamford Bridge and nobody has worn the number since flop Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang departed two years ago with one league goal to his name.
Liam Delap is next to fill the centre-forward boots, arriving for £30m from Ipswich.
But despite the 22-year-old's talent shining through in a relegated side, there are no guarantees he will end the club's long-standing nightmare.
It dates back to 2003 when Adrian Mutu arrived for £15.8m from Parma.
The Romanian managed just six Premier League goals before he was released following a positive test for cocaine.
Since then, the likes of Hernan Crespo, Andriy Shevchenko and Fernando Torres have all failed to match expectations after joining for massive fees.
In more recent times, Alvaro Morata and Timo Werner have been added to the long list of big-money mistakes.
Romelu Lukaku has cost Chelsea a total of £117.5m, taking into account his two spells at Stamford Bridge.
And in his 36 league matches, the Belgian hit the back of the net a disappointing eight times at a rate of £14.7m per Prem goal.
The difficulties also stretch to loan signings like Radamel Falcao, Alexandre Pato and Gonzalo Higuain.
They managed just seven goals between them before the club happily showed them the exit door.
Even away from centre-forwards, the "cursed" No9 shirt usually worn by goalscorers went to others like midfielder Steve Sidwell and defender Khalid Boulahrouz.
Success stories are hard to find with the £24m deal for legend Didier Drogba and the £32m splashed on cult hero Diego Costa among the few that have not been weighed down by the pressure of leading the line for the Blues.
But Delap has the ability to join them in becoming a Chelsea hero.
His movement is exceptional, he links up play well and boasts the pace to stretch the pitch.
The Blues risk becoming predictable in Enzo Maresca's structured approach and when Nicolas Jackson was out injured, the team struggled for goals and an outlet.
But Delap is also a provider, creating 21 chances for his Ipswich team-mates on top of his 12 goals for a side that hit the back of the net just 36 times all season.
BBC pundit Danny Murphy believes Delap can be Harry Kane's England successor, saying: “I think he’s the best young English striker out there.
"I know he’s got a bit to learn, and wisdom comes with experience and game time in this league, but he’s got all the attributes to be a top international player.
“I just don’t see a weakness for him. He’s scored enough goals in a struggling side, really, but he gets a lot of chances and he’ll score more.
“He’s just got that lovely balance between physical and technical. Rarely you get both. He’s really just super talented."
Sulemana Baba
0
is it a number 9 jersey curse or striker curse..??
Vidcknpruy
0
Riam delay atlist 35£yes
tientu
0
If you believe Giroud’s 17 goals in 75 appearances to be a hit, on what basis do you classify Morata’s 16 goals in 47 appearances as a miss?
Giroud worked a lot harder for the team and set up more assists
allshama
1
If you believe Giroud’s 17 goals in 75 appearances to be a hit, on what basis do you classify Morata’s 16 goals in 47 appearances as a miss?
And crespos 20 goals in 46
wenbimnpt
1
Drogba wore number 9 or 11?...are you talking about jersey number or position?
Dayacilnz
1
If you believe Giroud’s 17 goals in 75 appearances to be a hit, on what basis do you classify Morata’s 16 goals in 47 appearances as a miss?
Koabdoptuy
2
He should not put on No 9, jersey ooo pls am begging ooo
Kedanruz
1
nope.
cihacdkosz
1
the billionaire bottlers have one squad for epi, another for UCL, another for league cup and one FACup. but the cannot make without Cole Palmer united at all
Moseseboto
2
You have started your mother fucker talks of number 9 curse. Please leave Chelsea alone you untamed journalists without ethics.🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔
Nino_Luxury
3
Haaland gets up to 10 good chances per game and he only converts 1 or 2 N. Jackson gets an average 2 to 3 good chances per game and we expect him to convert all🤣 Chelsea's game without Jackson is a loss or if we mistakenly score, we'll have to give everything to defend that one goal or else it's over. But we Jackson, easy 3 to 4 goals lead.
Samabkmpry
1
when u calculate the percentage of goals by number of games. Drogba has 40.9%, Crespo has 40.8%, Diego Costa has 58.8%, Anelka has 30.4%,
tientu
2
I think Delap will be like Giroud, 10-15 goals a season but will work hard to set up assists for others
jotelntyz
1
Jackson is a hit, if we comapare with all 30M+ No.9s signed in last 10 years.
vuaabdipu
2
Liam Delap isn't the man to break the curse maybe Viktor Gyokeres or Victor Osimhen 🤔 might do it
Teudimotyz
2
9 jersay should be abolish at chelsea