Chelsea’s league-leading count of 56 yellow cards is a consequence of inexperience rather than a lack of discipline, according to manager Mauricio Pochettino. As the team prepares for a Premier League encounter against Crystal Palace, key players Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer are suspended due to accumulating their fifth yellow cards in the recent match against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Nicholas Jackson, Malo Gusto, Connor Gallagher, Marcus Bettinelli, Raheem Sterling, and Cole Palmer all received yellow cards in the 2-1 defeat on Sunday. Pochettino addressed concerns about player discipline in a press conference, stating that the team’s struggles with keeping players in line are reflective of the pressure associated with playing for a big club like Chelsea.
Pochettino dismissed the notion of a lack of discipline, emphasizing that the yellow card count is more a reflection of the players’ passion and desire to win. He attributed the high number of yellow cards to the team’s relative lack of experience, citing Cole Palmer’s first season in the Premier League as an example.
Despite sitting in 10th place in the standings, Chelsea faces Crystal Palace in a crucial match, followed by an away fixture against Luton Town on Saturday. The manager remains optimistic about the team’s ability to improve and adapt to the demands of top-tier football.
