Everyone can see Chelsea have a problem with red cards. The Blues have already seen five players dismissed this season.
Rob Sanchez vs Manchester United, Trevoh Chalobah against Brighton, and then three second yellows: one for Joao Pedro vs Benfica, Malo Gusto away to Forest, and then Liam Delap’s head loss at Wolves.
Combine that with the second yellow Enzo Maresca received for his celebrations after Estevão’s winner to beat Liverpool, and it makes six red cards since the beginning of September.
Problem? What problem?
However, Maresca does not agree. When pressed about the latest sending-off before Saturday’s trip to Spurs, Maresca maintains there is no issue with Chelsea’s discipline — even though, of course, there clearly is.
Maresca will gain nothing by denying what everyone can spot with even a passing glance. Not only are Chelsea receiving a freakish number of red cards in a short time, but the number of petulant yellows picked up for kicking the ball away after a foul has been committed, or for dissent, is also notable.
Some may have pinned Chelsea’s discipline crisis purely on Nicolas Jackson, who received red cards against Newcastle and Flamengo for bizarre acts of rage which cost his team. However, you may have noticed Jackson is no longer around. His replacement is now seeing red too — to the detriment of Maresca.
Not a New Issue
Chelsea’s discipline problem did not start with Maresca, or even in 2025. In the 2023/24 campaign, they received a Premier League-record 105 yellow cards. The season before — the first since the takeover — they accumulated 86 points in the Fair Play table.
They finished second-bottom of the same table in Maresca’s maiden voyage, continuing the trend of bad behaviour. Having a rough edge, a nasty streak, and an ease for confrontation is not in itself an issue.
Great teams need fire, conviction, and toughness to triumph among elite competition. The problem is that Chelsea’s lack of discipline seems to stem from an immature streak. Many will naturally point to the young age of Chelsea’s squad, which averages under 24 and includes a number of teenagers.
Young Blood; Hot Heads
The Clearlake and Boehly modus operandi has been to recruit raw talent with potential to grow rather than buying older heads. There is nuance within that debate: age does not guarantee greater performance or even maturity. Chelsea’s attempt to surrender a 3–0 lead over Wolves in midweek was compounded by more “experienced” players struggling to instil a sense of calm.
However, the perception of Maresca’s leadership among outsiders will be doubted every time he denies the red card problem and more incidents occur. Bluntly, some will jump to the conclusion that his young players are simply not listening, are rebelling, or do not fear repercussions.
It was something of a surprise that Maresca came out quickly to condemn the actions of Liam Delap in midweek, given he has so far rejected any concerns about growing suspensions. Among other concerns about Chelsea’s erratic performances, whatever Maresca does or does not say in public, this is a flaw he simply cannot afford to ignore much longer.
It has already cost Chelsea games — and will continue to do so until he finds a way to stop the squad’s most obvious flaw.
You can follow my coverage of Chelsea on YouTube at SonOfChelsea. More written coverage of the club on Substack. Follow me on X for more thoughts, along with listening to the podcast.
Commanding an impressive presence in football media, Daniel Childs is a seasoned content creator whose insights resonate deeply with enthusiasts. His extensive experience spans dynamic podcasting, compelling presenting, and incisive broadcasting, establishing him as a prominent voice in the sport. Daniel’s academic foundation – a degree in Film & Screenwriting from the University of Chichester – underpins his ability to craft engaging narratives and analyses that captivate audiences. You can delve further into Daniel’s work on his Substack and explore his contributions to Hooligan Soccer. His authoritative commentary and expertly delivered content are a testament to his profound understanding of football. Connect with Daniel on Twitter, subscribe to his engaging content on YouTube, and follow his updates on Instagram. Daniel remains steadfast in his commitment to delivering high-quality, trustworthy content that informs and entertains.
