Chelsea face a concerning double suspension with two key stars already on four yellow cards in the Premier League. Enzo Maresca must keep a lid on his side’s discipline over the next few weeks to ensure none of his players are banned too early in the campaign.
There have been only six Premier League matches this season. Players are banned for one game if they receive five yellow cards up to, and including, match week 19.
It leaves defenders Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana in a precarious situation over the next few months. Both players have already been shown four yellow cards each this season and will want to avoid missing a match through suspension.
They have each been a key part of Maresca’s back four this term, with Chelsea enjoying a hugely positive start to the 2024-25 campaign. The Blues have won four of the last five Premier League matches, with their only defeat coming on the opening day of the season.
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Cucurella has enjoyed a resurgence at left-back in the past 12 months. Having received strong criticism following his £63million switch from Brighton in 2022, the Spaniard has settled into life well at Stamford Bridge and shone during his country’s triumphant Euro 2024 campaign.
He has started the season as Maresca’s first-choice left-back, inverting into midfield when Chelsea have possession. The 26-year-old has kept Ben Chilwell out of the team, with the Englishman told to find a summer exit.
Meanwhile, Fofana has overcome a series of long-term injuries and appears to be part of Maresca’s favoured centre-back partnership. The Frenchman has excelled alongside Levi Colwill at the heart of Chelsea’s defence.
Cucurella and Fofana must now navigate a mammoth 13-game Premier League run attempting to avoid another yellow card. It is a tightrope that will be tricky to walk, with both playing in positions where tackles are necessary.
The Chelsea duo were both shown yellow cards in a record-breaking victory over Bournemouth last month, in which Anthony Taylor made 14 bookings. Eight yellow cards were shown to Chelsea players but Maresca insisted afterwards that he has no issue with his side’s discipline.
“It’s not a problem this amount of yellow cards. It is what it is,” the Italian coach said.
“I complained about a foul on Wesley Fofana which for me was quite clear but it can happen. Eight yellow cards probably because these sort of games are about duels and fight and this can happen. Sometimes the game demands the way you have to behave.”
