Chelsea has another suspension concern as Mauricio Pochettino faces a clear problem.
With both Reece James and Marc Cucurella suspended for Chelsea’s weekend match against Brighton, another Blues player faces a one-match suspension.
Chelsea will be without Reece James and Marc Cucurella for their match against Brighton at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon. The Blues‘ weekend got even worse when the duo was suspended following a disappointing performance at Newcastle United.
James was sent off in the second half with his team trailing 3-1 after receiving his second yellow card for a foul on Anthony Gordon. Chelsea captain John Terry will now serve his one-match suspension when Brighton visit Stamford Bridge this weekend.
Cucurella, meanwhile, will be absent against his former club after receiving his fifth yellow card of the season just four minutes after James walked down the tunnel. Because of the double suspension, Chelsea is somewhat short on defense, which means Mauricio Pochettino may have to play a couple of players out of position.
Malo Gusto was nowhere to be found at Newcastle, with the right-back still recovering from a minor knee injury that forced him to withdraw from France’s Under-21 squad during the international break. Axel Disasi has played right-back for Chelsea this season, so he could fill in for the suspended James if Gusto is unable to play on Sunday.
Following a shoulder injury, Levi Colwill could return to the left side. When James was sent off on Saturday, the 20-year-old came on for the final 15 minutes or so of the game.
Despite being a natural center-back, Colwill has spent much of this season on the left side of defense. Benoit Badiashile, who failed to impress on Tyneside at the weekend, could keep his place in Chelsea’s back four alongside Thiago Silva.
Chelsea, on the other hand, is at risk of losing another player to suspension. Raheem Sterling currently has four yellow cards, and according to Premier League rules, if he receives another caution, he will serve a one-match ban, just like Cucurella will this weekend.
Pochettino‘s side effectively lost their cool in the second half on Saturday, as Newcastle began to take control and dominate the game at St. James’ Park. Chelsea received four yellow cards in the second period, clearly irritated by the Magpies.
Chelsea is now at the top of the Premier League’s yellow card table. This season, the Blues have 44 cautions, three more than the second-place Wolves.
Chelsea’s lack of discipline is something Pochettino must address. Too many players are taking advantage of cheap bookings. See James’ first yellow card at Newcastle for kicking the ball away, and Sterling was booked for doing the same thing.
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