Chelsea’s poor disciplinary record caused by lack of experience: Mauricio Pochettino
Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox
Raheem Sterling was one of six Chelsea players who were shown yellow cards in the 2-1 defeat by Wolves on Dec 24.
PHOTO: REUTERS
LONDON – Chelsea's league-high 56 yellow cards can be attributed to a lack of experience, manager Mauricio Pochettino said ahead of a Premier League game against Crystal Palace, for which key players Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer have been suspended.
Nicholas Jackson, Malo Gusto, Connor Gallagher, Marcus Bettinelli, Sterling and Palmer were all shown yellow cards in the 2-1 away defeat by Wolverhampton Wanderers on Dec 24.
Sterling and Palmer's bookings were their fifth yellow cards of the season, ruling them out of the clash against Palace on Dec 27.
Asked if Chelsea’s struggles with keeping their players in line were caused by a lack of discipline in the squad, Pochettino said: “No – 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.”
Besides their disciplinary problems, the Blues are also missing a host of players owing to injuries.
At Stamford Bridge, they will be without defenders Wesley Fofana, Reece James, Marc Cucurella, Ben Chilwell, Trevoh Chalobah, goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, and midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Carney Chukwuemeka. Moises Caicedo is a doubt.
Palace, meanwhile, are missing defenders Joel Ward and Rob Holding, goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, midfielders Cheick Doucoure and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, as well as forward Odsonne Edouard.
While Palace have not won in their last seven matches, they have put in creditable performances recently.
Against Liverpool on Dec 9, they were leading until the 75th minute, before Jordan Ayew’s red card saw them fall to a 2-1 defeat in added time. They then had their own added-time epic in the next game, drawing 2-2 with champions Manchester City thanks to Michael Olise’s 95th-minute equaliser.
On Dec 21, they were close to ending a Premier League winless run that dates back to Nov 4, but Danny Welbeck sealed a 1-1 draw for Brighton & Hove Albion eight minutes from time.
Former England right-back Nathaniel Clyne told the club’s website: “The last few performances have been good, we just haven’t been credited with the win.
“We need to keep putting in performances like we did in the first half (against Brighton). The performance levels are there, the energy levels are there, it’s just about being more clinical in front of goal, creating more opportunities and wrapping up the game.
“We’ll keep pushing and working hard in training... and hopefully the wins will come in the next games and in the future.” REUTERS
