Evening Standard
·14 December 2024
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·14 December 2024
Enzo Maresca’s side lead the way in terms of bookings in the Premier League this season
No Premier League side have picked up more yellow cards than Chelsea so far this season.
The Blues have received 50 bookings in 15 top-matches, though they are one of only six clubs to have not yet been shown a red card.
It has been a hugely impressive campaign so far for Enzo Maresca’s side, sitting second in the table and the closest challengers to leaders Liverpool heading towards the halfway point of the season.
Should Chelsea be in a similarly strong position come the start of 2025, it will be hard for Maresca to keep downplaying their title chances.
However, disciplinary issues could prove problematic, with Chelsea having already had three suspensions this season and a number of players are not far away from adding to that tally.
As Chelsea have already been made fully aware of this season, players who pick up five yellow cards in the first 19 matches of the Premier League campaign are hit with a one-match ban.
Change in approach? Nicolas Jackson picked up the last of his four yellow cards for Chelsea more than a month ago
Chelsea FC via Getty Images
From that point onwards, players who are booked 10 times in the first 32 matches of the campaign are suspended for two.
Marc Cucurella picked up five yellow cards in seven matches earlier this season to serve an early suspension, while Wesley Fofana also missed the trip to face Liverpool for the same reason. Both have six bookings to their name.
Pedro Neto’s fifth yellow card of the campaign came last weekend against Tottenham and means he will miss Sunday’s match at home to Brentford.
After that clash with the Bees, Chelsea have games against Everton, Fulham and Ipswich before the bar for a suspension is raised.
Both Nicolas Jackson and Robert Sanchez are only one yellow card away from a ban, while Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo and Levi Colwill are among those who also need to be careful over the next four matches.
Four yellow cards: Nicolas Jackson, Robert Sanchez
Three yellow cards: Moises Caicedo, Levi Colwill, Romeo Lavia, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer
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