Enzo Maresca has expressed his frustration at Chelsea striker Liam Delap after the Blues frontman was dismissed for two yellow cards within seven minutes as Chelsea hung on to win 4-3 in a tense Carabao Cup encounter against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux. Delap had been out injured since August but had an unsavoury return to action as he pushed Yerson Mosquera then barged into Emmanuel Agbadou to earn his marching orders in the 86th minute.
Chelsea booked their place in the next round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night but they had to work hard to ease past Wolves. Indeed, the Blues were 3-0 up at the break and barely survived a late onslaught as they progressed following a 4-3 win at Molineux. However, supporters were quick to criticise Liam Delap, who was sent off on his first appearance since August.
Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Liam Delap has recovered from his injury and could be in Chelsea's matchday squad for their Carabao Cup fixture against Wolves on Wednesday. The Blues boss also jokingly expressed doubt over whether the English striker could take long throw-ins like his father and former Premier League star, Rory.
Youth football is in Pep Guardiola's blood. He emerged from Barcelona's famed La Masia academy and then took his first steps as a coach after being appointed manager of the Catalans' B team all the way back in 2007. When he became first-team coach at Camp Nou one year later, he promoted the likes of Sergio Busquets and Pedro, plus the returning Gerard Pique, as Barca swept to the treble in style.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has provided a major update on Liam Delap's injury as he revealed when the striker would return to action. Delap joined the Blues from Ipswich Town in June, immediately after the 2024-25 campaign was over. He participated at the Club World Cup and played a key role in the English giants' triumph in the competition, but he picked up an injury at the beginning of the 2025-26 season.
Ex-Newcastle midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has rejected the notion his former club can’t attract superstar players to the north east after a number of big-name summer signings elected to join rival teams in Manchester and London this summer. Shelvey believes it's a mistake to look down on the region and has spoken of the love players feel from supporters at St James’ Park.
Liam Delap was on course to join Manchester United this summer before the transfer to Old Trafford collapsed. Instead, the former Ipswich striker joined Chelsea, although he has since sustained an injury that has kept him out of action in recent weeks. According to reports, Delap's move to Manchester was '90 per cent done'.
Liam Delap will not need to undergo surgery on his hamstring injury, which clears the Chelsea striker to return to action in November. The English forward limped off in the first half of the Blues' 2-0 win over Fulham on August 30. He will miss the start of Chelsea's Champions League campaign but is expected back sooner than originally expected.