Enzo Maresca faces nightmare scenario as Chelsea star at risk of Champions League ban

Chelsea climbed into the top eight of the UEFA Champions League table when they smashed Barcelona at the end of last month

Andrey Santos will be walking on eggshells when Chelsea face Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League. The Italian outfit will host Enzo Maresca's side at the New Balance Arena on Tuesday night, as both teams look to return to winning ways.

The Blues were held to a goalless draw by Bournemouth at the weekend, conceding substantial ground in the race for the Premier League title. Chelsea have fallen eight points behind Arsenal after claiming just a point from a possible six against Leeds United and the Cherries.

Meanwhile, Atalanta lost, slumping into the bottom half of the Serie A. Hellas Verona stormed past Raffaele Palladino's side on Saturday afternoon, earning their first win of the campaign.

Despite a shaky start to December, the west Londoners will fancy their chances against Atalanta. However, Maresca may have to rethink his game plan; Andrey Santos, who was rested ahead of the clash in Bergamo on Tuesday night, will be walking the disciplinary tightrope.

The 21-year-old midfielder has been cautioned twice during the league phase, and if he receives a third yellow card, then he'll be suspended for one match by UEFA. João Pedro has also been booked twice, though both incidents occurred against Bayern Munich in September and resulted in a red card.

The governing body's rules state: "As from the first match in the league phase, players and team officials are suspended for the next competition match after three cautions, that did not result in a red card, as well as after any subsequent odd-numbered caution (fifth, seventh, ninth, etc.)."

The accumulation of bookings expire upon completion of the quarter-finals, and they're not carried forward to the semi-finals. Maresca will want his full squad available to him when Chelsea face Napoli at the end of January.

The Italian champions have had a mixed start to the campaign, winning two, losing two and drawing the other. Before the Blues lock horns with Antonio Conte's side, they will host Pafos at Stamford Bridge.

So, if Santos were to be booked on Tuesday night, he'd miss the clash against the Cypriot champions and be available to face Napoli. Back in September, Reece James outlined his ambition to win the competition.

After winning the Conference League and Club World Cup last season, James said: "I have no doubts in the club and the team's ability to go on to compete against the best teams in Europe and the world.

"We will take that week by week, game by game, and see where we've gone at the end of the season."