Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca criticizes Liam Delap’s reckless behavior leading to a red card in the Carabao Cup win over Wolves, calling it ‘stupid and embarrassing’.

Enzo Maresca has blasted Liam Delap’s “stupid” and “embarrassing” red card in Chelsea’s 4-3 win over Wolves in the Carabao Cup fourth round. Delap was dismissed after earning two yellow cards in the space of just seven minutes, leaving Maresca furious with his striker.

The first booking was for wrestling Yerson Mosquera to the ground, and the second came after a reckless aerial challenge on Emmanuel Agbadou. This was Chelsea’s sixth red card in nine games this season, and Maresca was disappointed with Delap’s behavior.

“We have a very stupid red card, that was completely unnecessary, absolutely it was a stupid foul, we can avoid that,” Maresca said. “I completely support and understand the red card like against Brighton and Manchester United, that is difficult, but the red card against Nottingham and a red card today, we can avoid that, and we have to avoid that.”

Maresca emphasized that Delap’s actions were embarrassing, saying, “It’s embarrassing when it is a red card like today. It’s embarrassing, two yellow cards in seven minutes. Both, I think, we can avoid.”

Delap’s dismissal takes the shine off Chelsea’s dramatic progress to the quarter-finals, where they will visit third-tier Cardiff. The striker’s mistake also means he’ll miss Saturday’s vital London derby at Tottenham.

Despite the setback, Chelsea held on to secure their place in the quarter-finals, thanks to goals from Andrey Santos, Tyrique George, and Jamie Gittens. Wolves pushed hard, but Chelsea’s defense held firm.

Maresca will hope Delap learns from his mistake and returns to form soon, as Chelsea looks to build on their Carabao Cup success.