'Sometimes When I Translate...': Enzo Maresca Explains Liam Delap Comments After League Cup Marching Orders

Last Updated:October 31, 2025, 20:14 IST

Maresca stated that his comments on Delap's red card against Wolves in the EFL Cup were misinterpreted after the forward had also apologised following the 4-3 win

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca (X)

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca stated that his comments on Liam Delap’s red card against Wolves in the EFL Cup were misinterpreted after the forward had also apologised following the 4-3 win.

Maresca had called Delap’s sending off for embarrassing and stupid, in addition to adding he was “playing the game for himself".

“I’m not from England, so sometimes when I translate from Italian to English, it’s a bit different," he said on Friday.

“On the pitch, Liam is more focused on his battle with the central defender than the rest. That was what I was trying to convey after the Wolves game. I know Liam will be a fantastic player for us, but there are aspects, like the rest of the team, that he needs to improve," the Italian added.

“I spoke with Liam; he understands everything, is aware of the situation, and knows he made a mistake. That’s all there is to it," Maresca informed reporters ahead of the Premier League match at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, which Delap will miss. “Immediately after the game, in the changing room, he apologised to everyone," he said.

Chelsea have received five red cards in their last nine matches, with Maresca admitting that some of them were avoidable. “It’s something we need to learn and improve upon. Certainly, we will be better in the future," he said.

Maresca confirmed that Chelsea would still be without Cole Palmer, but Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, and Joao Pedro would be available for the Spurs game. Chelsea are currently ninth in the Premier League, three points behind third-placed Tottenham.

News sports 'Sometimes When I Translate...': Enzo Maresca Explains Liam Delap Comments After League Cup Marching Orders

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