Chelsea’s Red Card Crisis Deepens as the Blue’s Sees Another Red Against Nottingham Forest

 

Chelsea’s 3–0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground should have been a moment of celebration, a commanding performance, three goals, and a clean sheet. Yet, the final minutes of the match were overshadowed by another flashpoint: Malo Gusto’s dismissal in the 87th minute, the club’s fifth red card in just six games.  Gusto, the French’s full-back made a late exit as he was shown a 2nd yellow card (🟥 red) for a reckless challenge, adding to Chelsea’s mounting disciplinary woes. His sending-off came with the match already secured, but it cast a shadow over an otherwise dominant display and further strained the squad’s depth heading into a congested fixture list.

 

With this red card incident, Chelsea’s turbulent start to the season has taken another twist. The Blues have now seen red in five consecutive matches across all competitions, an unwanted record that mixes flashes of defiance with a growing disciplinary concern. From Robert Sánchez’s early dismissal at Old Trafford to Malo Gusto’s late sending-off against Nottingham Forest, the pattern has fuelled debate about whether Enzo Maresca’s energetic side is crossing the line between passion and recklessness.   🧑‍💼 Manager Maresca, Chelsea head coach, was notably not on the touchline for the Forest match, as he was serving a suspension after receiving a second yellow card in the club’s fiery win over Liverpool before the international break. His dismissal marked the fourth red card in recent games, following those of Robert Sánchez (vs Manchester United), Trevoh Chalobah (vs Brighton), and Joao Pedro (vs Benfica).

 

Across these five fixtures, Chelsea have spent roughly 125 minutes playing with 10 men. Yet they still managed to win three of those games, showing remarkable resolve, but also how close that aggression is to boiling over.

🟥 Match-by-Match Breakdown: ⏱ How It Unfolded

It began at Old Trafford, when goalkeeper Robert Sánchez was dismissed just five minutes into the game for bringing down Bryan Mbeumo. Ten-man Chelsea fought bravely but lost 2–1. Days later, Trevoh Chalobah’s red card midway through the second half proved costly in a 3–1 home defeat to Brighton. In Europe, João Pedro’s late sending-off against Benfica came deep into stoppage time, though the Blues clung on for victory. Back in the league, even manager Enzo Maresca saw red, ejected for an exuberant goal celebration in a 2–1 win over Liverpool. The latest came when Malo Gusto picked up a second yellow against Nottingham Forest, moments before full-time in a comfortable 3–0 triumph.

 

🔢 The numbers, Chelsea’s five red cards, 📉 a troubling trend, four to players and one to their manager have come in rapid succession, raising concerns about discipline and composure within the squad. The dismissals have disrupted match rhythm, forced tactical reshuffles, and now threatened to derail momentum as the Blues prepare for upcoming clashes against Aston Villa and Arsenal. 🎙️ With Gusto now suspended and Maresca returning under scrutiny, Chelsea must address their disciplinary issues head-on. Whether through tactical adjustments, leadership interventions, or internal reviews, the club faces a critical moment in its campaign — one where discipline may prove as decisive as talent.

 

Chelsea’s disciplinary trend under Maresca reflects a team caught between reconstruction and restlessness. Several analysts point to the youthful core of the squad, players desperate to impress in a new tactical system — as a reason for rash decisions. Others see it as part of a broader culture shift at Stamford Bridge: a side trying to rediscover identity through intensity. Former Blues captain Frank Leboeuf told BBC Radio 5 Live: > “You can see they’re fighting for the shirt again — and that’s good. But controlled aggression wins trophies, not chaos.” Chelsea have already collected more red cards this season than in the entirety of their 2022-23 campaign. Enzo Maresca, meanwhile, insists the fire is “part of the process.” > “I’d rather have too much energy than none,” he said. “We’ll keep learning how to channel it.”

 

Still, discipline has consequences. Constant suspensions disrupt rhythm, defensive balance, and leadership on the pitch. With fixtures piling up, Chelsea’s ability to combine controlled intensity with composure could define their season.

 

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