Enzo Maresca's main Chelsea problem predates him as Jose Mourinho reaction speaks volumes

Chelsea's discipline has become an issue for them over the past few weeks, but not so much so as to stop Enzo Maresca making a joke.

Joao Pedro was shown a second yellow card in stoppage time of Tuesday evening’s Champions League win over Benfica - meaning a Blues player has now been sent off in three of their last four matches in all competitions. Yet Maresca shared a joke with reporters: "At least we learned how to win the game with the red card! That was the first one.

"Anyway, it was just two or three minutes left to play. And now we have Tyrique [George] to play as a No.9 tonight, we have [Marc] Guiu on the bench that can play as a No.9. We have time before the Ajax game [when Joao Pedro is suspended]. But yeah, as you said, unfortunately another red card that we need to avoid."

He added: "I always like to see one-on-one [meetings with players]. I think the Newcastle and Flamengo red cards, they were for bad actions. Then [Robert] Sanchez’s [red card vs Manchester United] is not for a bad action, it’s just because he wants to defend the goal.

"Tonight I think the second yellow card, Joao didn’t even touch the other player, but the dynamic of the action is a dangerous one. So for me personally, there is not any concern or any issue.

"It’s just a moment that probably you need to take a different reason and avoid, for instance, Robert’s after two or three minutes. Or even the other day against Brighton after 50 minutes.

"Sometimes it’s better to concede the goal or the chance because then it’s 11v11, you have 40 more minutes. So for me personally, there is not any problem."

While Maresca is not too concerned at the moment, a discipline problem is something that predates him at Stamford Bridge. His predecessor Mauricio Pochettino came out and stated there was not an issue in that regard while he was in charge, but the evidence suggested otherwise.

Back then, during the 2023/24 campaign, it was more to do with the frequency of yellow cards for Chelsea. The Blues finished the season with a record-breaking 105 bookings to their name.

In Maresca's debut season in SW6, Chelsea accumulated 98 yellow cards - more than any other side in the Premier League. Only Brighton (18) and Bournemouth (16) have more than Chelsea (15) in the English top-flight this term. And there have been two red cards for the Blues - in the league - in that time.

It is a difficult one for Maresca to approach. He wants his players to treat every game with intensity and aggression to a certain extent, but crossing the line has been the problem thus far. Trying to find the right balance is the challenge that Maresca has on his shoulders.

Either way, Chelsea were able to get over the line on Tuesday evening despite not being at their best at Stamford Bridge. A team - with no disrespect intended - better than Benfica would have punished the Blues, who gave up too many opportunities, while not looking particularly convincing going the other way either.

There were glimpses of Alejandro Garnacho's talent, particularly with the game's only goal where he did really well to put in a dangerous volleyed cross that ended up hitting Richard Rios and going into the Benfica man’s net.

Equally, though, there were signs of rustiness. Understandable rustiness. There were a couple of decent opportunities for Garnacho to test the goalkeeper but he ended up snatching at his efforts and they sailed well over the crossbar.

His replacement, Jamie Gittens, did not have such a good time. One thing you cannot fault is the 21-year-old’s heart. The England Under-21 international was constantly looking to beat his man and even when he failed, it did not deter him from trying to impress a Stamford Bridge crowd that have seen nowhere near his best level yet.

Gittens is receiving plenty of criticism online, and that is part of being a footballer at this level. However, to write him off at this point - and there are people doing that - seems way too premature. It would, equally, be nice to see him show some of the promise he clearly has.

The main story of the night was Jose Mourinho and his return to Stamford Bridge. It was heartwarming to hear how the Chelsea supporters greeted the club legend.

It was not his first return to SW6 as a manager, he has been there before with Manchester United and Tottenham, but given Chelsea’s feelings towards those two clubs, particularly Spurs, Mourinho received a bit of a frosty reaction.

Though on Tuesday night, his famous chant was ringing round Stamford Bridge just minutes after the match kicked off. In the second-half, there was the loudest rendition of the song and Mourinho put his hand up in the air and blew kisses to thank those singing his name.

Mourinho, the serial winner he is, was not happy to lose against his former club, but he was pleased to reconnect with his adoring supporters once again. "I feed myself with victories, not these kinds of memories," Mourinho said post-match.

"But I thank them, I did that on the pitch. When I am in London, I meet Chelsea fans every day on the street. Hopefully I can come back here in 20 years with my grandkids."

A classy gesture from the Chelsea supporters to a man that helped change the football club on two separate occasions and a classy response from one of the greatest to ever do it.