Premier League
‘It’s Embarrassing!’ – Furious Enzo Maresca Blasts Liam Delap For ‘Playing For Himself’ After Chelsea Striker’s Red Card In Carabao Cup Win
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has hit out at Liam Delap following the striker’s disastrous return from injury in the 4-3 Carabao Cup victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.
The 22-year-old forward, making his first appearance since August, received two yellow cards within seven minutes, reducing Chelsea to ten men late in the game and sparking frustration from his manager and fans alike.
Delap, who came on as a second-half substitute, was first booked for pushing Yerson Mosquera before recklessly barging into Emmanuel Agbadou, earning himself an early shower in the 86th minute.
Maresca Furious With Delap’s ‘Selfish’ Display
Speaking to The Athletic after the match, Maresca did not hold back when asked about Chelsea’s growing red card problem — with the Blues now up to six dismissals in their last nine matches.
“Yes, it’s embarrassing when it’s a red card like today,” Maresca fumed.
“Because it’s two yellow cards in seven minutes. Both, I think we can avoid. After the yellow card I told him four or five times to keep calm.But Liam is a player that when he’s inside the pitch, he’s probably playing the game for himself, and he struggles to realise and to listen around him.”
The Italian coach described the red card as “very stupid” and “completely unnecessary,” adding that such lapses in discipline are unacceptable for a club like Chelsea.
“Absolutely deserved. It was a stupid foul. We can avoid that,” Maresca added.
“I completely understand red cards like against Brighton or Manchester United — that’s difficult — but this one and the one against Nottingham Forest, we can avoid. We have to avoid that.”
Chelsea Survive Scare To Reach Quarter-Finals
Despite Delap’s late meltdown, Chelsea managed to hang on for a 4-3 win after a nervy second half.
The Blues had cruised to a 3-0 lead at halftime, thanks to goals from Andrey Santos, Tyrique George, Estevao, and Jamie Gittens — all aged 21 or younger. But Wolves came roaring back in the second half, forcing Chelsea to defend desperately after Delap’s dismissal.
Maresca admitted he was delighted with the first-half performance but deeply frustrated with his side’s lack of control in the second.
“Very happy first half, very upset second half,” he said.
“It’s always complicated to go away and score three goals. We were playing nice football, creating chances. But the first goal we conceded opened the game and gave them energy to come back. All three goals we conceded could have been avoided.”
Next Stop: Cardiff City
Chelsea now progress to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, where they will face League One side Cardiff City, who beat Welsh rivals Wrexham 2-1 to advance.
The Blues have not lifted the League Cup since 2015, and Maresca will be hoping to end that drought — though he made it clear his side must address their discipline if they are to have any chance of winning silverware this season.
“We have to be smarter, calmer, and play as a team — not as individuals,” Maresca concluded.
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