Liam Delap’s comeback on Wednesday night did not go to plan, as the striker was sent off in Chelsea’s 4-3 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Bottom of the Premier League table and having scored against them last season, Wolves were the perfect opponents for Delap.
However, after being brought on just after the hour mark, Delap ended up getting himself sent off by picking up two yellow cards.
As a result, the 22-year-old will now miss Chelsea’s London derby against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap is shown a yellow
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Liam Delap received 15 yellow cards in 2024/25 season
Delap is actually no stranger to being cautioned in games. Last term, the Englishman picked up 15 yellow cards in all competitions.
Being a forward and not a defender, a stat like that will shock Chelsea supporters. It is something that he clearly has to work on.
Liam Delap’s 2024/25 disciplinary record Appearances Yellow cards Red cards
Premier League 37 12 0
Club World Cup 6 2 0
FA Cup 2 0 0
Carabao Cup 1 1 0
Total 46 15 0
Via Transfermarkt
Of course, the former Ipswich Town man is not the only Chelsea player who has seen red this season.
Robert Sanchez, Trevoh Chalobah, Joao Pedro and Malo Gusto have also been dismissed, so Chelsea clearly have a disciplinary issue right now.
Even manager Enzo Maresca has been shown a red card after his wild celebrations during the Blues’ game versus Liverpool.
Nevertheless, despite not setting the best example himself during the Liverpool match, the Chelsea head coach did not hold back when giving his assessment of Delap’s dismissal.
Chelsea striker Liam Delap protests sending off
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
What Enzo Maresca has said about Liam Delap’s red card
Maresca has been very critical of Delap following his sending off, stating that the England Under-21 international did not listen when he told him to calm down after his first caution.
“After the yellow card I told him four or five times to keep calm,” the Italian said. “But Liam is a player that when he’s inside the pitch probably he’ll be playing the game for himself and he struggles to realise and to listen around him.”
With Delap suspended for Saturday’s London derby, Joao Pedro could lead the line for the Blues. If that happens, Estevao may start in the No.10 position, while Jamie Gittens and Pedro Neto are deployed on the wings.
Gittens has to start after his excellent display at Molineux. The 21-year-old scored a sublime goal and recorded two assists.