Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has hit out at his players following Liam Delap’s red card in their 4-3 Carabao Cup win over Wolves, calling it “very stupid” and “embarrassing.”
The 22-year-old forward returned from a 10-week hamstring injury and was sent off just 26 minutes after coming on.
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Delap picked up two yellow cards in seven minutes — first for pushing Yerson Mosquera and then for barging into Emmanuel Agbadou.
Chelsea’s indiscipline leaves Maresca frustrated
Speaking after the match, Maresca said: “Absolutely, yes. Stupid foul. We can avoid that.” He revealed he warned Delap several times to calm down before the incident.
“Liam plays like he’s in his own game sometimes and doesn’t listen,” he added, reports BBC Sports.
Chelsea nearly threw away a 3-0 half-time lead as Wolves clawed back three goals, with Jamie Gittens’ late strike just enough to send the Blues through to face Cardiff City in the quarter-finals.
It was Chelsea’s sixth red card in nine games, including Maresca’s own dismissal for over-celebrating against Liverpool.
The Italian admitted his concern: “It’s embarrassing when it’s like today. Two yellows in minutes — both avoidable. That’s not good enough.”
Maresca also warned the team’s discipline must improve ahead of their London derby against Tottenham, with striker Joao Pedro still a fitness doubt.
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