Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino insists his side do not have a discipline problem despite receiving a league-high 56 yellow cards so far in 2023-24.
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Pochettino's players cautioned 56 timesManager believes it is not a discipline issueBlames inexperienceWHAT HAPPENED?
Despite accumulating the most yellow cards in the Premier League this season and facing suspensions for key players Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer for the clash with Crystal Palace, the Argentine manager remained defiant in his stance that his team do not need to be reined in on the pitch. In the recent match against Wolves, five Chelsea players received cautions as well as Pochettino. While Sterling saw yellow for diving, Palmer, Malo Gusto and Nicolas Jackson were booked for dissent.
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Speaking to reporters, Pochettino said: "No [it's not a discipline problem] – it’s representative of the fact that we play for Chelsea, we are a big club and you feel the pressure. When you are frustrated and lack a bit of experience, it’s [something] we can improve.
“It’s Palmer’s first season in the Premier League and it is normal. He is playing for Chelsea. Of course, it’s frustrating. But the players care, the players want to win. It’s not about a lack of discipline, it’s about having the ability to read the situation of the game.”
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Apart from the suspensions, Chelsea have been ravaged by injuries as well which has thwarted their progress on the pitch. Despite the hurdles, Pochettino remains optimistic about finding the right equilibrium in the squad.
“To have all of the players fit is the moment when we will find the right balance,” the manager said.
“At the moment we are trying to compensate as we always have eight, 10, 12 players out, so we have to adapt to find the balance and find solutions.”
DID YOU KNOW?
Chelsea's defeat to Wolves last weekend was their 19th league loss in 2023, the join-most in the English top flight.