Matt Le Tissier sure Enzo Maresca has ‘concerning behind closed doors’ message for Chelsea
Matt Le Tissier believes Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is not revealing his true feelings in public about his players after the Blues received another red card against Benfica.
Chelsea beat Benfica 1-0 courtesy of an own goal to register their first win in the competition, but striker Joao Pedro received two yellow cards during his second half appearance.
Tyrique George received criticism from Chelsea supporters for his performance, with the 19-year-old picked over Pedro up-front.
The Brazilian’s sending off means Chelsea have seen red in three of the last four games, with Robert Sanchez dismissed at Man United, and Trevoh Chalobah against Crystal Palace.
Matt Le Tissier slams ‘very foolish’ Joao Pedro
Pedro was sent off in the 96th minute for a high boot, which adds to Maresca’s problems in attack with Liam Delap and Cole Palmer injured.
The 24-year-old will miss Chelsea’s home clash with Ajax in the Champions League, with George likely to earn another opportunity up-front.
Le Tissier believes Pedro can have no complaints about his sending off.
“So Joao Pedro got a red card last night and I do not think he can have any complaints if I’m honest,” Le Tissier said.
“When you’re on a yellow card you know you can’t do anything silly and you know if you put your foot up that high around somebody’s face you know there is a very good chance the ref is going to pull out his yellow card even if there isn’t any contact as there wasn’t.
“A little bit disappointed in his opponent who did go down kind of looking to hold his head that hadn’t actually been struck at all so that’s a bit disappointing, but even so Joao Pedro was very very foolish and he needs to learn very quickly.”
Pedro started life brightly at Chelsea, with a blistering start at the Club World Cup, but has now gone five games without a goal, with the Blues only winning one of those matches.
Maresca will be ‘furious’ and ‘concerned’ after another red card
Following the recent series of red cards, Le Tissier thinks Maresca will be looking to install discipline into his players.
“Enzo Maresca will be fuming for two reasons. Firstly because of the fact Joao Pedro would have known he’s on a yellow and he can’t do that and secondly, the suspension,” Le Tissier said.
“He’s already got Liam Delap who’s out injured at the moment so the manager will be pretty furious I’d imagine at this point.
“Now I know they’ve had three red cards in four games but I think the Sanchez and Chalobah red cards were actually done to try and save a goal, they weren’t really foolish red cards, so I don’t think he’ll be overly concerned by the fact that his players are showing a lack of discipline.
“I do think he’ll be a little bit concerned that you can’t carry on winning football matches if you go down to 10 men on a regular basis.
“I think what he’ll be saying in public which he said is fair enough, but I think he’ll be saying something a little bit different behind closed doors and making sure that Chelsea tighten up on the fact that in this day and age you know referees are stamping down very easily on fouls and when you’re on a yellow card they seem to quickly get a red card.
“So he’s got to instil in his players that discipline if they do get that first yellow they’ve got to look after themselves and make sure the team doesn’t go down to ten men again.“
Chelsea next welcome Premier League leaders Liverpool to Stamford Bridge next, where another red card could prove very costly against the Reds’ strong attack.