Chelsea sets the most embarrassing record in their history

Despite a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest, Chelsea still worries fans by breaking an unfortunate record with five red cards after just nine rounds this season.

The win at City Ground seemed to promise full joy for Chelsea, but Malo Gusto’s red card in the 87th minute caused a collective sigh. The French player was sent off after receiving a second yellow, ending a night that was both successful and concerning for the London club.

A 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest with goals from Josh Acheampong, Pedro Neto, and Reece James helped Chelsea temporarily stay close to the top group, but the ongoing streak of red cards has become a major issue for coach Enzo Maresca. Notably, the Italian manager himself was also sent off during the match against Liverpool, making the team set a record of five red cards in just nine rounds — a figure unprecedented in Chelsea’s Premier League history.

Before Malo Gusto, four other individuals had been sent off this season: goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, defender Trevoh Chalobah, forward Joao Pedro, and coach Maresca. More broadly, Chelsea has had players sent off in five of their last six matches, highlighting serious issues with the team’s mentality and emotional control.

While Chelsea only received one red card throughout last season, they now lead the league in dismissals. This not only affects individual match results but also causes the team to lose key players during a congested fixture schedule. Constantly playing with fewer men forces Maresca to rotate the squad and adjust tactics more than anticipated.

Experts believe the cause lies in Chelsea’s overly aggressive style and loss of control during challenges. The youthful but inexperienced defense often commits fouls in dangerous areas, while some players’ hot tempers prompt referees to issue cards without hesitation.

Although showing signs of improvement in play and results, Chelsea still faces a disciplinary challenge. Five red cards in just nine rounds is not only a worrying statistic but also a warning sign for a squad trying to regain its identity.

To aim for a return to European competition spots, Chelsea must quickly end this "red card nightmare" or risk victories like the one against Nottingham Forest being overshadowed by a lack of discipline on the pitch.

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