Chelsea Star Liam Delap Sidelined Against Tottenham for Shocking and Humiliating Reason
Should Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca need to justify Liam Delap's omission from the Tottenham Hotspur match, the reasoning might lean more toward foolishness than disciplinary action.
The typically calm Italian manager launched a scathing critique of his 22-year-old forward following his midweek antics, after the player fell for provocation and earned two senseless yellow cards during Wednesday's tense Carabao Cup triumph over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
"We witnessed an incredibly foolish red card that was entirely avoidable and completely warranted," Maresca raged after observing his striker knock Yerson Mosquera and Emmanuel Agbadou to the ground. "Such red cards are preventable and must be prevented.
"Today's dismissal was shameful. Two bookings within seven minutes, both completely avoidable."
Despite Delap's ejection occurring in the Carabao Cup, red card bans extend to all English domestic tournaments, preventing his inclusion in the Chelsea lineup that headed to north London for Saturday's thrilling encounter with Spurs.
Though Delap's sending-off was particularly mindless, it represents just another in Chelsea's growing list of disciplinary lapses this campaign. The Blues have accumulated five dismissals in 2025–26, excluding Maresca's own ejection against Liverpool.
After consistently dismissing concerns about any underlying pattern with these red cards, Chelsea's tactician finally acknowledged it's "an area requiring improvement."
Chelsea Red Cards in 2025–26
Date / Opponent | Dismissed Individual | Reason |
|---|---|---|
Sept. 20 / Man Utd | Robert Sánchez | Denial of goalscoring opportunity |
Sept. 27 / Brighton | Trevoh Chalobah | Denial of goalscoring opportunity |
Sept. 30 / Benfica | João Pedro | Two yellow cards |
Oct. 4 / Liverpool | Enzo Maresca | Two yellow cards |
Oct. 18 / Nottingham Forest | Malo Gusto | Two yellow cards |
Oct. 29 / Wolves | Liam Delap | Two yellow cards |
Delap Issues Apology for Dismissal
Delap's anger had subsided by the time his Chelsea colleagues returned to the locker room following their hard-fought 4–3 victory at Molineux on Wednesday. "Immediately following the match in the dressing room, absolutely. He offered his apologies to the entire squad," Maresca disclosed.
"I had words with Liam, but he understands completely. He recognizes the circumstances. He acknowledges his error. That's the end of it."
Delap must wait until Wednesday's Champions League fixture against Qarabag for his next opportunity at redemption. Three days following that encounter, the summer signing faces an intriguing reunion with his antagonists Wolves at Stamford Bridge.