Portugal Colonial - Maresca says Chelsea's red-card run is teaching opportunity

"I have four kids. When they do something wrong, I don't punish them, I try to teach them to do the right things. I try to treat the players in the same way, to try to help them to understand," Maresca told a press conference.

"This is the way I see things. It can be right or wrong, I don't know. But it's the way I like to do things."

The Blues have collected red cards in each of their last four matches and in five of their last six. Maresca was himself dismissed at the end of the 2-1 win against Liverpool earlier this month.

The dismissals of goalkeeper Robert Sanchez against Manchester United and then Trevor Chalobah against Brighton contributed to defeats in both matches.

"I'm not that kind of manager to punish players, I don't think it's the right way to do things," Maresca said. "I prefer to help them to understand and to do the right things."

While Malo Gusto's late sending off on Saturday came with Chelsea already 3-0 up at Nottingham Forest he will miss the visit of Sunderland to Stamford Bridge at the weekend.

Joao Pedro will be absent from Wednesday's Champions League clash at home to Ajax following his sending off, for two yellow cards, in the final minute of the win over Benfica in the London club's last European tie.

Maresca was fined £8,000 ($10,705) and banned for one match for his exuberant celebrations following Estevao Willian's stoppage-time winner against Liverpool.

He said his squad were themselves punishing ill-discipline.

"The players have a system inside the changing room in terms of fines," Maresca said. "It's something that they manage."

Maresca said the injury that kept Enzo Fernandez out against Forest was not serious and that Liam Delap, sidelined with a hamstring injury since August, was near a return to training.

"Liam is very close," Maresca said. "He's not working with us yet, but hopefully he can start in the next days to take part in sessions with us.

"Enzo took part (on Monday). We have one more session, we'll see what we decide for (Wednesday). It's not something we have to be worried about, it's just to try and protect him."

A.F.Rosado--PC