Liam Delap, Chelsea's latest acquisition for £30 million, is already making waves at Stamford Bridge. His attention-grabbing signing is not just due to the hefty price tag or his experience in the Premier League, but also because he has chosen to wear the club's notorious No. 9 jersey. This number has been a source of frustration for many prominent players since the Premier League's inception.

The Blues secured Delap from Ipswich Town, but Manchester City, where he developed under current Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, will receive 30% of the transfer fee, approximately €10 million. Despite Ipswich's relegation, Delap shone with 12 goals in 37 matches, leading Chelsea to believe he could be the answer to their forward line struggles.

Delap has committed to Chelsea until 2031 and is eager to embrace the challenge ahead. "I came here to win trophies," he stated. "The club is determined to return to the top, and I believe we have the talent to achieve that. My goal is to help the club reclaim its rightful place."

At Chelsea, he reunites with Maresca and former Manchester City teammates Cole Palmer and Romeo Lavia, who previously won the Premier League 2 title together. Delap praised Maresca's coaching, noting the significant development he experienced under him.

The No. 9 jersey at Chelsea has a history filled with struggles and missed opportunities since its introduction in 1993. Here’s a summary of players who have donned this iconic number in the Premier League era:

• Tony Cascarino: The first Premier League No. 9 for Chelsea, he struggled with injuries and scored only 4 goals in one season.


• Mark Stein: Had a brief successful stint with 25 goals in 63 appearances.


• Gianluca Vialli: A Champions League winner who scored 40 goals in 78 matches.


• Chris Sutton: A £10 million disappointment with just one league goal.


• Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink: A prolific scorer with 87 goals in 177 games.


• Mateja Kezman: Failed to impress with only 4 league goals.


• Hernan Crespo: Scored double digits but had a mixed tenure.


• Khalid Boulahrouz: A defender wearing No. 9, which speaks volumes.


• Steve Sidwell: A midfielder who spent just one season at Chelsea.


• Franco Di Santo: Failed to score in 8 league appearances.


• Fernando Torres: Despite a high transfer fee, he left a mixed legacy.


• Radamel Falcao: Scored only once in 12 games, underwhelming compared to his past.


• Alvaro Morata: Started strong but faded, scoring 24 goals in 75 matches.


• Gonzalo Higuain: Had little impact during his loan spell.


• Tammy Abraham: Scored 30 goals in 82 games under Frank Lampard.


• Romelu Lukaku (Second Spell): A £97.5 million signing who struggled to make an impact.


• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: A short-term fix with only 3 goals.

With over a dozen players failing to establish a legacy while wearing Chelsea's No. 9 shirt, only a few like Vialli, Hasselbaink, and Abraham have stood out. Delap now carries the weight of this challenging history.

At just 22, he brings not only talent but also Premier League experience and familiarity with Maresca's coaching style. His determination is evident as he aims to restore Chelsea's glory, stating, "I want to take the club back to where it deserves to be."

Whether he can change the narrative remains to be seen, but for a club in dire need of a dependable striker, Liam Delap could either break the curse or become its next chapter.