Mauricio Pochettino refused to simply accept a scarcity of self-discipline is chargeable for Chelsea’s unwelcome place because the Premier League group with probably the most yellow playing cards this season.
The group collected 5 bookings through the 2-1 defeat to Wolves at Molineux on Christmas Eve, amongst them Cole Palmer who will now miss Wednesday’s recreation in opposition to Crystal Palace after accruing 5 for the marketing campaign.
Raheem Sterling additionally noticed yellow for simulation when he sought a penalty in stoppage time, as Chelsea chased what would have been an undeserved equaliser in opposition to Gary O’Neil’s aspect.
The group has already seen suspensions for Reece James, Malo Gusto and Conor Gallagher after being despatched off earlier within the season, while summer time signing Nicolas Jackson is barely two bookings in need of 10 for the marketing campaign and an additional two-match ban, having additionally been suspended in September.
But Pochettino insisted {that a} will to enhance the group’s spluttering league kind is what’s inflicting his gamers to behave rashly.
“No, it’s consultant that we play for Chelsea, we’re in an enormous membership, you’re feeling the stress,” he stated. “If you end up pissed off, and also you don’t have possibly the expertise of different groups, you make a mistake.
“Palmer is enjoying for us his first season as an everyday. It’s regular. The gamers care, they need to win, they’re pissed off.
“It’s not self-discipline. We have to have extra the capability to learn the scenario of the sport.”
Pochettino additionally pointed in direction of accidents as a contributing think about his group’s struggles, with no less than eight gamers unfit for the assembly with Palace at Stamford Bridge.
Off the mark within the @PremierLeague. #CFC | #WolChe pic.twitter.com/GPTdDwrioc
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 25, 2023
Enzo Fernandez is ready to be lacking for the second straight recreation, while the supervisor has hinted he doesn’t but imagine Christopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia are match to start out after lengthy spells out.
“My focus now’s to recuperate gamers and to repair the numerous, many issues which are happening from the start of the season,” he stated.
“If you happen to’re going to see the squad for the following recreation, you’re going to see greater than eight first-team gamers (lacking).
“I’m pissed off and upset not to have the ability to use all of the gamers on the similar time. That’s the reason generally we’ve been up and down in our outcomes.”
