Maresca denies Chelsea ‘Discipline problem’ after a wave of red cards

Enzo Maresca said on Friday that he does not believe that his Chelsea team has a «discipline problem» after a wave of red cards while preparing for the visit of Premier League leader Liverpool.

The blues have been reduced to 10 men in three of their last four games, two of which have been defeats.

Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was shown a red card in a 2-1 defeat against Manchester United, while Trevoh Chalobah was sent in last week’s 3-1 loss to Brighton.

Voorder Joao Pedro Laught lets the same fate in the Champions League match against Tuesday against Benfica by Jose Mourinho, but Chelsea won 1-0.

Chelsea manager Maresca said it was important to assess every situation on a case-by-case basis.

«If it is a red card for poor intention or for poor discipline, it is different from the Manchester United Red Card or Brighton Red Card,» he said.

“In that case it is just the decision you have to make in two seconds, three seconds. Do I do wrong or not?

«It is difficult. So we analyze the case by case. Again, I don’t see a discipline problem, even if we consider three or four red cards, which is not something normal. But again, it is for various reasons.»

Chelsea started the Premier League season strongly before he stumbled and is now eighth in the table after he had only taken one point of the past three games.

But Maresca is convinced that his team will go in the right direction.

«Most of the games we didn’t get the points are because they were games very complicated for us in terms of unfortunately, unfortunately, red cards,» he said.

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«But undoubtedly that the injury situation – we are currently, I think, eight players out. So it’s a mix, but we don’t doubt that we are slow, slow where we should be.»

Maresca rejected the idea that Liverpool would be more vulnerable after the team of Arne Slot had suffered back-to-back defeats against Crystal Palace and Galatasaray in the Champions League.

«It is always a tough competition, always a big team,» he said before Saturday’s game at Stamford Bridge.

«For me personally, the way they do this season is fantastic. Especially after (Diogo) Jota’s tragedy.»

The Liverpool attacker was killed in a traffic accident in Spain in July.

«It’s not easy for the players, it’s not easy for the club, it’s not easy for the manager when you arrive at the training field and you see every day that is empty,» said Maresca.

«So you have to be very strong, and this is why they don’t do well, even better than good, even more.»

Published on October 3, 2025