Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca didn't hold back his disappointment following Liam Delap's red card in their recent Carabao Cup victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Blues secured a 4-3 win at Molineux, but Delap's dismissal cast a shadow over the result.
Delap, making his first appearance since recovering from an August injury, came on as a substitute but received two yellow cards in quick succession. The first booking was for wrestling Yerson Mosquera to the ground. The second came from a reckless aerial challenge with Emmanuel Agbadou. Referee Thomas Bramall issued both cautions, leading to Delap's dismissal.
Maresca expressed his frustration, calling the red card "stupid" and "completely unnecessary". He further accused Delap of being "selfish" and not listening to instructions after his initial booking. According to Maresca, he told Delap "four or five times 'keep calm'" after the first yellow card. However, he felt Delap was "playing the game for himself" and "struggled to realise and to listen around him".
The Chelsea boss contrasted Delap's red card with others this season, suggesting some were unavoidable due to the circumstances. However, he felt Delap's sending off, along with another against Nottingham Forest, were avoidable and unacceptable. Maresca stated that such dismissals are "embarrassing," especially when they occur so quickly.
Delap's suspension means he will miss Chelsea's upcoming London derby against Tottenham Hotspur. This compounds Maresca's frustration, as Delap's absence further limits his options.
The red card marred what was otherwise an exciting match. Chelsea had taken a commanding 3-0 lead in the first half with goals from Andrey Santos, Tyrique George, and Estevao. Wolves mounted a spirited comeback in the second half, but Chelsea managed to hold on for the win.
Chelsea's pre-season involved participation in the FIFA Club World Cup in June and July. They defeated PSG 3-0 in the final to lift the trophy. The Blues also hosted the VisitMalta Weekender at Stamford Bridge in August, a mini-tournament featuring Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan. Chelsea's first fixture of the tournament was against Bayer Leverkusen on August 8, followed by a match against AC Milan on August 10. New signings like João Pedro were integrated into the squad during this period.
Maresca's pre-season preparations included integrating new signings and assessing the squad's fitness. He emphasized the importance of managing young players like Estevao, ensuring they adapt to the team without undue pressure.
