TWO Chelsea stars will be banned for this month’s clash at Liverpool after becoming the first Premier League players to collect five yellow cards this season.
Enzo Maresca’s Blues travel to Anfield after the international break, with victory on Merseyside making Chelsea’s Italian manager just the fifth tactician to win his first five away games.
The match will be extremely tough for the visitors, with Liverpool top of the Premier League with six wins from seven.
However, Chelsea’s battle will be made all the harder after they lost two players for the crunch clash.
Key defenders Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana have both been ruled out of the trip to Liverpool after each man picked up a booking against Nottingham Forest today.
The feisty game ended 1-1 as both sides missed several chances to win.
And late on at Stamford Bridge, a huge brawl broke out which saw Cucurella receive his fifth yellow card of the new season.
Fofana was booked earlier on for a clumsy challenge as he reached booking number five.
And the pair will now miss out on a place in Maresca’s team when Chelsea line up against their old rivals.
It means the Italian gaffer will have to tinker with his side, having only just settled on a consistent starting XI.
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Candidates to replace centre-back Fofana include Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile.
However, based on appearances this term, Tosin Adarabioyo is the most likely candidate to line up alongside Levi Colwill.
As for left-back Cucurella, Maresca could turn to misfit Ben Chilwell after the Englishman was reintroduced to the senior squad.
But it is much more likely that new signing Renato Veiga will get the nod after kicking off his Chelsea career with a goal in Thursday’s 4-2 win against Gent.
Maresca previously warned his Premier League XI that things can change very fast, with other talented players desperate to break into the side.
And after the disappointing draw with Forest, plus an international break coming up, it could be the perfect excuse for a few more changes.
Romeo Lavia is fit again after another injury lay-off and could come in for the underwhelming Enzo Fernandez.
While Pedro Neto is hoping to take advantage of Noni Madueke’s frustrating moments in the final third.
And Christopher Nkunku may finally get the nod ahead of the inconsistent Nicolas Jackson.
CHELSEA were held by ten-man Nottingham Forest as frustration filled Stamford Bridge.
Noni Madueke cancelled out Chris Wood’s opener but the Blues couldn’t find a winner.
And frustrations boiled over with a mass brawl in added time.
Here’s how SunSport’s Jack Figg rated the Blues stars.
Robert Sanchez – 8
Excellent positioning to snuff out Forest counter on hour mark and made two sensational late saves to deny the visitor’s a winner.
Malo Gusto – 6
Wasn’t able to prevent Nikola Milenkovic’s flick on to set up Wood’s opener but he produced a great block to deny Gibbs-White in the box.
Wesley Fofana – 7
Forming a good partnership at the back with Colwill. Finally some consistency at centre-half for Chelsea.
Levi Colwill – 7
Made a huge block to prevent Yates in the first half. John Terry-esque defending.
Marc Cucurella – 5
Lacked attacking creativity down the left having filled in at centre-back at times. Failed to form much of a threat with Sancho.
Moises Caicedo – 6
Agonisingly close to getting ahead of Wood to prevent the Forest opener. Took the role as deep-lying midfielder in front of back line.
Enzo Fernandez – 5
Still looks to be finding his best position under Maresca. Not a natural holding midfielder but denied preferred advanced role by Palmer.
Cole Palmer – 6
Looked lively when afforded space in the centre but the Chelsea superstar saw a huge chance saved thanks to Matz Sels double save.
Noni Madueke – 8
Constant threat down the right side with his goal well deserved. But the winger finds himself guilty of making the wrong choice in the final third.
Jadon Sancho – 4
Largely absent throughout the match with Aina doing a stellar job in keeping the tricky forward quiet. Lacked killer instinct going forward.
Nicolas Jackson – 4
Apart from pressing, quiet throughout. Slow to react in the box in a frustrating sign of inconsistency after recent goalscoring form. Spent more time arguing with team-mates at points.
Subs
Joao Felix (for Fernandez 80 mins) – 6
Christopher Nkaunku (for Jackson 80 mins) – 6
Mykhailo Mudryk (for Sancho 89 mins) -5
Pedro Neto (for Madueke 89 mins) – 6
Tosin Adarabioyo (for Colwill 90+3 mins) – 5
