Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca has praised his Chelsea team's "fighting" spirit, but their poor discipline this season means three players will be suspended for their upcoming match against Liverpool at Anfield after the international break.
No Premier League team has accumulated more yellow cards than Chelsea, who have picked up 27 in their first seven games, including six in both the 1-0 win at Bournemouth and the 1-1 draw at home against Nottingham Forest.
So far this season in premier league, Chelsea team have received more yellow card than any team, making it deficut for them to travel with first team player that will face league leader Liverpool.
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Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana each received their fifth yellow cards during the Forest match, becoming the first players in the league this season to earn a one-game suspension. Adding to their woes, Nicolas Jackson has also been banned following an altercation with Forest's Morato during a pitch-side melee.
This leaves Maresca needing to make three changes to his starting lineup, particularly in a crucial match against the league leaders. So, who will step in?
Renato Veiga, the summer signing from Basel, seems likely to replace Cucurella at left-back. Veiga, who has impressed in the Conference League and even scored in the recent 4-2 win over Gent, appears the obvious choice.
At center-back, Maresca has options, including Tosin Adarabioyo, Axel Disasi, and Benoit Badiashiele. Adarabioyo, who started in the 3-0 victory against West Ham, seems favored, with Badiashiele yet to feature in the Premier League this season.
In attack, Christopher Nkunku is set to start, making his second league appearance of the season. Despite scoring seven goals across competitions, only one has come in the league—his match-winner against Bournemouth.
While this is not the game Maresca would have wanted to experiment in, it offers his fringe players a chance to prove their worth, though Chelsea will need to quickly address their disciplinary issues.