Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca described Liam Delap’s sending-off as “very stupid” after the striker’s late dismissal overshadowed the Blues’ thrilling 4–3 Carabao Cup victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.
Delap, 22, was making his return from a ten-week hamstring injury but lasted just 26 minutes after coming off the bench in the second half. The young forward picked up two yellow cards in quick succession, first for shoving Yerson Mosquera and then for a reckless challenge on Emmanuel Agbadou, leaving Chelsea to finish the match with ten men.
Speaking to BBC Sport after the game, Maresca did not hold back in his criticism. “Absolutely, yes. Stupid foul. We can avoid that,” he said when asked whether the red card was justified.
The Italian’s frustration stemmed not only from Delap’s indiscipline but also from Chelsea’s alarming collapse. The Blues had raced into a commanding 3–0 lead at half-time, only to concede three second-half goals as Wolves mounted a dramatic comeback. Jamie Gittens’ spectacular late strike eventually secured Chelsea’s passage to the quarter-finals, where they will face Cardiff City.
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“The three goals we conceded, I think all of them we can avoid. Certainly, we also received a very unnecessary red card today. After the first yellow card, I told him [Delap] four or five times to keep calm. But Liam is a player who, when he’s on the pitch, is probably playing the game for himself and struggles to realise and listen to those around him,” Maresca lamented.
Delap’s dismissal means he will miss Saturday’s London derby against Tottenham Hotspur, with João Pedro already a doubt through injury, a blow that could test Chelsea’s attacking options.
The red card was Chelsea’s sixth in nine matches, including Maresca’s own dismissal earlier this month for over-celebrating a last-minute winner against Liverpool.
When pressed about the club’s growing disciplinary issues, Maresca admitted the situation had become “embarrassing.”
He said, “I completely understand when there are red cards like against Brighton or Manchester United, that’s difficult. But the red cards against Nottingham Forest and today, both we can and have to avoid. Two yellow cards in ten minutes, it’s not good.”
Despite the chaotic finale, Chelsea’s win sees them progress to the last eight of the competition, but Maresca will hope his side can show more composure and discipline in the games ahead.
