Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has defended Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi following his controversial tackle on Cole Palmer during a recent match.
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Ndidi’s scissor challenge from behind on Palmer in the 22nd minute raised questions, especially as it involved contact with the back of Palmer’s ankle.
However, Maresca, who previously coached Ndidi at Leicester City, has played down the incident, asserting that it was not a red card-worthy challenge.
Maresca’s defense of Ndidi
Despite the nature of the tackle, which appeared to have the potential to cause harm, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca quickly came to the defense of the Leicester midfielder. Speaking at his post-match interview, Maresca dismissed any notion that the challenge was intentional or malicious.
“I don’t think Cole is the target. I don’t think that,” Maresca stated, adding that he did not believe Ndidi’s actions warranted the severity of a red card. Maresca, who has an established relationship with Ndidi, having worked with him at Leicester, expressed confidence in the midfielder’s good intentions.
Maresca on the nature of the challenge
“I’m not saying Wilf [Ndidi] was bad intention because I love Wilf,” Maresca continued. “Overall, when there is bad intention, I think the punishment has to be different.”
The Chelsea manager reiterated that after reviewing the clip, he did not believe the challenge deserved a red card, stating, “I don’t think so. I saw the clip and I don’t think it is a red, to be honest.”
Maresca’s comments follow a similar stance he had taken on a previous incident involving Manchester United, where he firmly believed that a challenge was worthy of a red card. This time, however, he remained adamant that Ndidi’s challenge was not of the same dangerous nature.