Olaleye Idowu
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has warned his players about picking up unnecessary red cards.
Maresca was reacting to the latest sending off, after Joao Pedro was dismissed during the 1-0 win over Benfica in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Pedro was given his marching orders for a second booking in added time. The Brazilian forward had only been on the field for half an hour as a substitute.
He became the third Chelsea player to be sent off in four matches after goalkeeper Robert Sanchex at Manchester United and defender Trevoh Chalobah against Brighton last weekend.
Maresca said: “So for me personally, there is not any concern or any issue. It’s just that in the moment probably you need to take a different reason and avoid this.
“Sometimes it’s better to concede the goal or the chance because then it’s eleven versus eleven and you have more minutes to play.”
