In the wake of Chelsea’s accumulation of the most yellow cards in the Premier League this season, manager Mauricio Pochettino has stepped up to offer an explanation, highlighting the competitive drive of his players rather than a lack of discipline.

Pochettino’s defense of his team’s record came in light of Chelsea receiving 56 bookings in just 18 league games. He insisted, “We are in a big club, you feel the pressure,” highlighting the challenges that come with playing for a club of Chelsea’s stature. Pochettino elaborated, saying, “When you are frustrated, and you don’t have maybe the experience of other teams, you make a mistake.”

The issue was brought into sharper focus following Chelsea’s recent 2-1 defeat to Wolves, where the team saw five of its players booked. This included Cole Palmer, whose booking will cause him to miss the upcoming match against Crystal Palace. Follow your favourite Premier League team with attractive football betting odds from Nextbet. 

Pochettino commented on Palmer’s situation, saying, “Palmer is playing for us his first season as a regular. It’s normal. The players care, they want to win, they are frustrated.” He further added, “It’s not discipline. We need to have more the capacity to read the situation of the game.”

Chelsea’s season has been further complicated by suspensions, with players like Reece James, Malo Gusto, and Conor Gallagher missing games due to red cards. Nicolas Jackson, a new signing, is also nearing a suspension with his accumulation of yellow cards. Pochettino pointed to these challenges, along with a spate of injuries, as contributing factors to the team’s struggles this season.

Currently in 10th place, Chelsea is navigating a tricky phase in the league, with their next game against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge. Pochettino’s comments shed light on the high-pressure environment at Chelsea and the impact it has on the players, especially the less experienced ones. 

As Chelsea gears up for their next fixture, understanding and adapting to the game’s situations will be crucial for the team to bounce back and climb up the league table. Get the latest updates from the Premier League only on Nextbet Sports.