Chelsea’s manager, Mauricio Pochettino, brushed off concerns about his team’s discipline despite the suspensions of Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling. Despite leading the league in yellow cards this season, Pochettino remains defiant, attributing the high card count to the pressure of playing for a prestigious club like Chelsea.
The recent 2-1 defeat to Wolves marked the fifth booking of the season for Palmer and Sterling, leading to an automatic one-game suspension. This setback means both players will miss the upcoming match against Crystal Palace. Chelsea has already faced suspensions earlier in the season for Conor Gallagher, Malo Gusto, and Reece James due to red cards.
Summer acquisition Nicolas Jackson, who has already served two yellow cards this season, is now on the verge of a 10-match suspension, having previously faced a September ban. Pochettino, however, downplayed the disciplinary issues, stating that it’s a consequence of playing for a high-profile club, where the pressure to succeed can lead to mistakes born out of frustration and lack of experience compared to other teams.
Pochettino emphasized that the players’ frustration stems from a genuine desire to win and perform for the team. Palmer, in particular, is making his debut as a regular this season, contributing to the team’s intensity on the field. Despite the disciplinary challenges, Pochettino stressed the need for improved game interpretation and self-control.
In essence, Pochettino attributes Chelsea’s high yellow card count to the inherent pressure of representing a major club and acknowledges the players’ passion, emphasizing the importance of learning from mistakes and enhancing their ability to navigate the game’s circumstances effectively.
