Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has criticised striker Liam Delap for what he described as a “stupid” and “embarrassing” red card during their 4-3 League Cup win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday.
The Italian coach expressed disappointment over the player’s lack of discipline, which resulted in Chelsea’s fifth red card in just nine matches.
Delap, who had only just returned from a hamstring injury after nearly two months on the sidelines, was introduced as a second-half substitute. However, his comeback was cut short after he received two yellow cards within seven minutes the first for pushing Wolves defender Yerson Mosquera and the second for a foul on Emmanuel Agbadou.
“For sure, today also we had a very stupid red card that is completely unnecessary,” Maresca told reporters after the game. “Absolutely yes, it was a stupid foul,” he added when asked if the dismissal was deserved. The manager’s frustration was clear as he described the incident as “embarrassing,” noting that both bookings could have easily been avoided.
According to Maresca, he had repeatedly warned Delap to remain calm after the first caution. “After the yellow card, I told him four or five times to keep calm,” he said. “But Liam is a player that, when he’s on the pitch, plays for himself and struggles to realise or listen to what’s happening around him.”
Despite the disciplinary issues plaguing the team, Maresca stated earlier in the week that he does not believe in punishing players for red cards. “I have four kids, and when they do something wrong, I don’t punish them. I try to teach them to do the right things. I try to do this with my players too,” he explained.
Chelsea, currently ninth in the Premier League, will aim to carry their League Cup momentum into their upcoming clash against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, hoping to improve discipline and secure another win.