Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca publicly criticized forward Liam Delap, saying the player “plays in his own world” after he received a “stupid” and “unnecessary” red card just minutes into his return from injury.
Delap, 22, was sent off in the 86th minute of Chelsea’s 4-3 English League Cup victory over Wolverhampton, having accumulated two yellow cards quickly after entering the game in the 62nd minute.
Maresca did not hold back in his assessment of the incident. “After the first yellow, I told him four or five times to calm down,” the coach stated.
“But Liam is a player who, when he is on the field, plays in his own world and has difficulty hearing what is around him.”
The manager described the red card as “very stupid and completely unnecessary.” He added, “It was totally deserved. A stupid foul that we could have avoided. I support the referee’s decision.”
The incident occurred as Delap made his comeback after a two-month absence due to a muscle injury.
Chelsea’s win secured their place in the quarter-finals of the competition.
Delap joined the London club from Ipswich this summer in a transfer valued at approximately $37.8 million. He has yet to meet expectations. The forward has not contributed with any goals or assists in the four games he has played for Chelsea.