Why Enzo Maresca defended Wilfred Ndidi despite his reckless tackle on Cole Palmer

Referee Andy Madley's decision to show only a yellow card for Wilfred Ndidi's challenge on Cole Palmer has sparked intense debate following Chelsea's 2-1 win against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium. The match, which strengthened Chelsea's top-three position, became a talking point due to the contentious first-half incident that divided opinions among players, managers, and pundits.

Tackle incident divides opinion

During a heated first-half exchange, Leicester's Ndidi caught Palmer with his studs, making contact with the Chelsea midfielder's Achilles. VAR official Paul Tierney reviewed the incident but opted against recommending an upgrade to a red card.

Former Chelsea player Joe Cole, analysing for TNT Sports, expressed strong disapproval of the challenge, stating, "That tackle, he could hurt him there. It's a terrible tackle. He's lost his rag, he should be sent off."

Enzo Maresca's unexpected support

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca offered a surprising perspective on the incident, defending his former player Ndidi. Maresca explained in his post-match comments,

"I don't think it is a red, to be honest. I don't think Cole is the target. When there is bad intention, there has to be a different kind of punishment from the referee. I'm not saying Wilf had bad intention because I love Wilf."

Match outcome and var discussion

Chelsea's victory came through goals from Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez, while Jordan Ayew managed a late consolation penalty for Leicester. Palmer, despite being at the centre of the controversial tackle, completed the full match and nearly scored in the second half, but teammate Noni Madueke accidentally blocked his goal-bound effort on the line.

PGMOL defended the decision during half-time on TNT Sports, explaining that the tackle "lacked intensity" despite occurring at close range. This justification has reignited discussions about VAR consistency in the Premier League, particularly regarding player safety.

The incident follows a recent pattern of rough challenges on Palmer, including a knee-high tackle from Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez, which Maresca had previously identified as a clear red card offence.

While Maresca advocates for strict punishment in cases of clear malice, his balanced view on Ndidi's tackle highlights the ongoing challenge referees face in maintaining consistent standards for dangerous play in modern football.

The debate surrounding the incident continues to raise questions about the effectiveness of VAR and the interpretation of dangerous tackles in Premier League matches, with player safety remaining a primary concern for all stakeholders in the game.