"It looks quite bad" - Enzo Maresca provides worrying update on Chelsea star after he picked up injury in Bournemouth draw

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has admitted that striker Liam Delap is set for a spell on the sidelines. The Englishman suffered a shoulder injury during their goalless draw at AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League.

Speaking to the media after the match, Maresca said that Delap could be out for some time once again, after spending two months on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. He admitted that the injury looked bad and said:

"Yeah, unfortunately he was already out two months and he has to be out again. We don't know for how long, but it looks quite bad, his shoulder."

Maresca was quizzed on Delap's injury issues this season, and the Chelsea manager said that he wants a strong striker leading the attack, adding that it has been frustrating. He added that they have been trying Marc Guiu in the same role and said:

"Yeah, he has been unlucky. He was out two months already, now he has to be out again. Also, we are a bit unlucky because we need that kind of a No.9. We tried today with Marc [Guiu]."

Chelsea's draw saw them drop seven points in the last three matches, failing to capitalize on Arsenal's loss at Aston Villa. They are now fourth in the Premier League table, sitting eight points behind the leaders.

Enzo Maresca not thinking about Chelsea in Premier League title race

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has insisted that they cannot think about the Premier League title race until March. He added that they need to remain focused on the job at hand and said:

"My message after Arsenal was that if in February, March we are where we were, we are in a title race. That's why I said because it's so long way, too many games until February, March that it's difficult. But again, the table is so close, tight."

"You win two games in a row and you are there. In case you are not able to win two games in a row, you drop a little bit. I'm still thinking that the four, five, six teams that are at the top, they are going to be all close in the moment that you are able to win one or two games in a row."

Chelsea face Everton next in the Premier League, with Newcastle United and Aston Villa to follow. They need to shift their focus to the UEFA Champions League this week, with a trip to Atalanta on Tuesday.