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Enzo Maresca is leaving it to Chelsea’s players to punish themselves for their glut of red cards, with the Italian head coach revealing there is an internal fine system in place between his stars.
In the build-up to facing Ajax in the Champions League on Wednesday night, the Blues have seen red in five of their last six games in all competitions, including one for Maresca. Malo Gusto became the latest to be dismissed for a silly second yellow in their away win at Nottingham Forest.
When Frank Lampard was Chelsea manager in 2019-20, an internal fines list was leaked. Framed on the wall of their Cobham training ground, it included a £20,000 fine for being late for the start of training. The money went towards team activities and charitable bodies.
Maresca and his eldest player Tosin Adarabioyo, 28, held a press conference at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday ahead of Ajax’s visit. Asked how much had been raised for the Christmas party thus far, Tosin laughed and said: ‘That’s something that will stay between us.’
Maresca clarified how he is not in charge of the fines as he prefers a more empathetic approach as head coach, but did say he is happy for the players to police themselves.
‘Personally, I'm not the kind of manager who punishes players,’ Maresca explained. ‘In my view, I don't think it's the right way. I prefer to help them to understand and then from that do the right things. I have four kids, and when they do something wrong, I don't punish them.
Enzo Maresca is leaving it to Chelsea ’s players to punish themselves for their glut of red cards
His Chelsea squad have racked up an astonishing five red cards over their last six games
Even Maresca has been given marching orders during that spell - with the Italian sent off for exuberantly celebrating Chelsea's last-gasp win against Liverpool earlier this month
'I try to teach them to do the right things. And I try to treat the players in the same way. I try to help them to understand, not to punish them. This is the way I see things. It can be right or wrong, I don't know, but it's the way I see things. I think the players have a system between the changing room, inside the changing room, so a fine is something that they manage.’
Chelsea’s red cards were for Robert Sanchez against Manchester United, Trevoh Chalobah against Brighton, Joao Pedro against Benfica, Maresca against Liverpool, and Gusto against Forest.
Joao Pedro cannot face Ajax due to suspension as a result, giving Marc Guiu the possible opportunity to start as Chelsea’s striker.
Enzo Fernandez may also return after his knee injury, while Liam Delap, sidelined since August because of a hamstring issue, is expected to start training again within the next week. Dutch giants Ajax have been struggling of late, and with pressure on their manager John Heitinga, Chelsea are considering heavy favourites to win.
