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Chelsea could be without a couple of big names when they lock horns with Manchester City at Stamford Bridge
Liam Rosenior could be without Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo when Chelsea face Manchester City next month. Unless they tread carefully before the upcoming international break, the Blues duo could be suspended for the highly-anticipated clash at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, April 12.
Fernandez and Caicedo have each been shown eight yellow cards in the Premier League this season. According to The FA's disciplinary rules, players who accumulate 10 cautions in English top-flight matches up to and including their club's 32nd fixture of the campaign will serve a two-match ban in the same competition.
Fortunately for Rosenior, whose side will face Wrexham in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday, Premier League bookings are not carried over to either of the domestic cup competitions. But when a player is shown a red card, they are carried over to and from the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
The suspension period for sending off covers the Premier League, as well as the two domestic cup competitions. So, if Fernandez and Caicedo are shown yellow cards in each of Chelsea's upcoming clashes against Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge and Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, they will both be served two-match bans.
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If that were to be the case, the Blues duo would be ineligible to face Manchester City, which could be rescheduled depending how they each fare in the Champions League, and Manchester United. As the game against Pep Guardiola's side would be Chelsea's 32nd of the Premier League season, Fernandez and Caicedo would also have to avoid a booking there – if they hadn't already.
So, if the duo are cautioned against Newcastle or Everton and then Manchester City, they will be suspended for the matches against the Red Devils at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, April 18, and Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Sunday, April 26, which is also subject to change should the Blues progress to the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
Despite having been shown more red cards in the Premier League than any other team this season, Chelsea have no immediate disciplinary concerns. Marc Cucurella is the Blues player with the next highest number of yellow cards (five), meaning – unless he gets sent off – he and the remainder of Rosenior's squad are safe from a potential ban.
Fernandez was shown his eighth booking of the campaign during the second half of Chelsea's 4-1 win over Aston Villa. The Argentina international was cautioned for applauding the referee for a decision that fell in the west Londoners' favour.
The gesture appeared genuine, so when Jarred Gillett pulled out a yellow card, Fernandez was left bemused. Speaking to reporters after the game, Rosenior called out the match officials, but not the incident involving the Argentine.
"We could have kept a clean sheet," said the Chelsea boss. "No, it's a really good evening and so far I haven't heard of any injury issues. I was very proud of them today. We've had a few kicks.
"We spoke about responding positively before the game. We had to end the game because, first and foremost, the first attack. They scored from a fantastic finish.
"I don't understand how we don't get a penalty. The fact that we've won 4-1 doesn't change that. It's a clear penalty on Reece. It's another setback.
"For the players to perform in the manner that they did, with and without the ball, makes me a very proud manager this evening."
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