Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca labelled Liam Delap’s red card against Wolves “stupid” and “embarrassing,” criticising the striker for ignoring warnings to stay calm.
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has described Liam Delap’s red card in their 4–3 Carabao Cup victory over Wolves as “very stupid” and “embarrassing.”
Delap, making his first appearance since August 30 after recovering from a hamstring injury, was introduced as a second-half substitute but lasted only 25 minutes before being dismissed for two yellow cards. The striker was first booked in the 79th minute for shoving Yerson Mosquera, then received a second yellow just seven minutes later after elbowing Emmanuel Agbadou.
“It was a very stupid red card that was completely unnecessary,” Maresca told Sky Sports after the game. “Absolutely deserved. I completely support the red card. After the yellow card, I told him four or five times, ‘keep calm.’ But Liam struggles to listen on the pitch.”
The Chelsea boss admitted the incident added to the team’s worrying disciplinary record this season, calling it “embarrassing” to collect “two cards in seven minutes.”
Delap’s dismissal was Chelsea’s fifth of the campaign, joining Robert Sanchez, Trevoh Chalobah, Joao Pedro, and Malo Gusto on the list. The 21-year-old will now miss Saturday’s Premier League trip to Tottenham.