EPL: It’s not red card, I love him – Maresca reacts to Ndidi’s tackle on Palmer

Chelsea manager, Enzo Maresca has given his verdict on Leicester City midfielder, Wilfried Ndidi’s horror tackle on Cole Palmer.

Maresca disagreed with the majority of Chelsea fans after referee Andy Madley did not award a red card to Ndidi for his strong tackle on Palmer during both teams’ Premier League tie on Saturday.

The match ended 2-1 at the King Power on Saturday in favour of Chelsea.

Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez scored the goals for the Blues against the hosts.

But Ndidi, in the 22nd minute of the encounter, while attempting to chase Palmer, chopped the England star down from behind and made contact with the back of his opponent’s ankle.

When asked for his opinion on the foul, Maresca, who coached Ndidi at Leicester, insisted that he did not believe it was a red card offense, adding that he loves Ndidi.

“I don’t think Cole is the target. I don’t think that,” Maresca said at his post-match interview.

“I’m not saying Wilf [Ndidi] was bad intention because I love Wilf. Overall, when there is bad intention, I think the punishment has to be different.

He added, “I don’t think so. I saw the clip and I don’t think it is a red, to be honest. The other one [vs Manchester United] I said that was a red card, for sure.”