Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca did not hold back after his side’s chaotic 4–3 Carabao Cup victory over Wolves, branding Liam Delap’s red card “very stupid” and calling the club’s growing disciplinary record “embarrassing.”

The win secured Chelsea’s place in the EFL Cup quarter-finals against Cardiff City, but the dramatic collapse from a 3–0 half-time lead and another avoidable sending-off left Maresca furious.

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Chelsea’s Discipline Crisis: Another Red Card in a Turbulent Season

Delap, who had just returned from a 10-week hamstring injury, was introduced as a second-half substitute but lasted only 26 minutes before receiving two yellow cards — one for shoving Yerson Mosquera and another for barging Emmanuel Agbadou.

“Absolutely, yes. Stupid foul. We can avoid that,” Maresca said bluntly when asked if Delap deserved to be dismissed.

“After the first yellow card, I told him four or five times to keep calm. But Liam is a player who, when he’s on the pitch, plays the game for himself and struggles to realise what’s happening around him.”

The red card adds to an alarming trend. It was Chelsea’s sixth sending-off in nine games, following earlier dismissals for Trevoh Chalobah, Robert Sánchez, and even Maresca himself, who was sent off for over-celebrating a last-minute winner against Liverpool before the international break.

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Chelsea’s Collapse Against Wolves

Despite racing to a 3–0 lead by half-time, Chelsea unravelled in the second half. Wolves mounted a spirited comeback, scoring three times before Jamie Gittens’ late strike ensured the Blues just scraped through to the next round.

Maresca was far from impressed:

“The three goals we conceded — all of them we can avoid. The red card was completely unnecessary. For sure, today we had a very stupid red card that made everything more difficult.”

Delap’s dismissal now leaves Chelsea short of attacking options for Saturday’s crucial London derby against Tottenham, with Joao Pedro still battling fitness issues.

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Maresca’s Verdict: ‘It’s Embarrassing’

The Italian coach, known for his disciplined and tactical style, admitted that the club’s poor discipline has become a serious concern.

“It’s embarrassing when it’s a red card like today,” Maresca said. “Two yellow cards in five or ten minutes — both avoidable. It’s not good.

“I completely understand red cards like against Brighton or Manchester United — those are difficult situations — but today’s was not. It’s embarrassing, and we have to change that.”

Chelsea also top the Premier League’s yellow card table for the third consecutive season, underscoring a recurring issue under different managers.

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What’s Next for Chelsea?

Maresca faces the dual challenge of keeping Chelsea competitive while restoring discipline to a talented but volatile squad. The Italian’s frustration highlights a growing theme in Chelsea’s campaign — moments of brilliance undermined by lapses in focus and temperament.

The Blues will travel to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this weekend with a weakened attacking lineup and renewed pressure to keep their composure.

For Maresca, the message is clear: discipline is non-negotiable.