Enzo Maresca, the manager of Chelsea, has expressed his frustration over the team’s ongoing issues with player dismissals. Following a recent Carabao Cup match against Wolverhampton Wanderers, he labeled Liam Delap’s red card as “very stupid” and described the frequency of red cards this season as “embarrassing.”
Maresca’s Critique of Delap’s Dismissal
Liam Delap made his return to the field after a ten-week injury layoff but was sent off just 26 minutes after being introduced as a substitute. He received two yellow cards in quick succession: one for pushing Yerson Mosquera and another for barreling into Emmanuel Agbadou. As a result, Delap will miss the upcoming match against London rivals Tottenham.
Manager’s Insights
- Maresca acknowledged that Delap’s sending-off was justified.
- He emphasized the need for better discipline among players.
After the game, Maresca stated, “Absolutely, yes. Stupid foul. We can avoid that.” He pointed out that the team’s defensive errors were also significant, noting they had initially taken a commanding 3-0 lead before collapsing. Wolves managed to equalize, aided by Jamie Gittens’ late strike, allowing Chelsea to narrowly advance in the tournament.
The Bigger Picture: Indiscipline Issues
This incident marks Chelsea’s sixth red card within just nine matches, raising concerns about indiscipline. Maresca himself experienced a dismissal for celebrating exuberantly during a prior match against Liverpool. Furthermore, Chelsea leads the Premier League in yellow cards accumulated over the past three seasons.
Focus on Preventing Future Offenses
Maresca highlighted that while some red cards may be justifiable, others, like Delap’s, are entirely avoidable. He stated, “It’s embarrassing when it’s a red card like today because it’s two yellow cards in five or 10 minutes.” The manager urged his players to maintain composure on the pitch to prevent similar situations in the future.
