Enzo Maresca reacts to Wilfried Ndidi’s horror tackle on Cole Palmer | Football

Enzo Maresca admits that he does not agree with the majority of votes Chelsea fans after referee Andy Madley failed to award a red card for Wilfried Ndidi’s shocking tackle Cole Palmer.

Chelsea defeated Leicester 2-1 Saturday at King Power thanks to goals from Nicholas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez.

The Blues dominated the first 30 minutes of the match and as a result the Foxes let their frustrations get the better of them and committed numerous dangerous fouls.

This included Ndidi in the 22nd minute. In an attempt to chase down Palmer, the experienced Leicester midfielder cut down the England international from behind and made contact with the back of his opponent’s ankle.

Fortunately, Palmer, who was an injury doubt coming into the match, was uninjured, while Ndidi escaped with just a warning.

According to the Premier League match panel, via TNT presenter Lynsey Hipgrave, the Ghana international escaped further punishment as VAR noted he was only a short distance from Palmer when he launched the tackle, while the challenge was also said to lack ‘intensity’ .

When Chelsea icon Cole was asked for his assessment, he couldn’t believe what he heard and was relieved that Palmer was able to avoid injury.

‘Lack of intensity?’ he asked. “He jumped, he’s a bit of an athlete, he jumped and landed on Cole Palmer’s Achilles heel. It could have been a way out for the season.

‘That’s an old-fashioned challenge. “I’m going to do you,” and he tries to sweep the ball with his left foot.

‘They were miles away from Leicester, they were frustrated, he lost his rag and should have been sent away.’

Fellow expert Peter Crouch added: Are you sent away for raising your hand or pushing someone? That could have knocked out Cole Palmer this season.”

But when asked for his opinion on the foul, Chelsea boss Maresca, formerly of Leicester, said he did not believe it was a send-off.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, the Italian said: “I saw the clip and to be honest I don’t think it’s red.”

Palmer has suffered numerous serious fouls this season, most notably when he was injured by United’s Lisandro Martinez.

Maresca added: ‘The other one (against Manchester United), I said that was definitely a red card. I don’t think Cole is the target.

‘I said after the game against Man United that if there is bad intention, it should be a different punishment than the referee. I’m not saying Wilf had bad intentions, because I love Wilf.

‘It’s not just our players. For me it’s general. If there is malicious intent, the punishment should be different.’

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