Chelsea won a dramatic 4-3 Carabao Cup match against Wolverhampton Wanderers. However, striker Liam Delap stole headlines for the wrong reasons. He was sent off just 26 minutes into his return from a lengthy injury.
Head coach Enzo Maresca was furious. He launched a scathing critique of the 22-year-old’s discipline. This incident marks the club’s sixth red card in their last nine games. It raises serious questions about control within the squad.
“It’s embarrassing when it’s a red card like today. Because it’s two yellow cards in seven minutes… both we can avoid that. Stupid foul.” Enzo Maresca
Delap’s Disastrous 26-Minute Comeback
Delap had waited two months to return from a hamstring injury. His comeback quickly ended in disaster. He was shown two quick yellow cards for avoidable fouls:
- First Yellow: Cautioned for pushing an opponent (Yerson Mosquera).
- Second Yellow (Red Card): Sent off just seven minutes later for a clumsy challenge on Emmanuel Agbadou.
The consequence is immediate. Delap is suspended for this weekend’s critical Premier League London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur.
This is a big blow. Fellow forward João Pedro has fitness doubts. Delap’s ban creates unwelcome attacking shortages for the Blues.
Maresca Demands ‘Maturity’ and Focus
Maresca stressed that the red card was “absolutely deserved.” He highlighted Delap’s failure to follow instructions.
The manager revealed he had personally warned the player “four or five times” to stay composed after the first booking.
The manager’s deeper criticism focused on awareness:
“Liam is a player that when he’s inside the pitch, he’ll be playing the game for himself and he struggles to realise and to listen around him.”
Maresca accepts some red cards, like those against Manchester United. But he categorized Delap’s error as an avoidable mistake. He is demanding better decision-making from his young players.
The Carabao Cup Comeback and The Road Ahead
Chelsea initially took a commanding 3-0 lead. However, Wolves mounted a nervous second-half comeback. A brilliant late goal from Jamie Gittens finally secured the 4-3 win. Chelsea now advances to the Carabao Cup Quarter-Finals to face Cardiff City.
For Maresca, control is the main focus. Disciplinary lapses threaten to derail the team’s momentum. The manager’s push for maturity is a crucial factor. It will determine their success across all competitions this season.
