'Why is he making a challenge like that?' - Enzo Maresca 'has to get a hold of' Chelsea ill-discipline after FOURTH red card of season
Published 18/10/2025 at 16:15 GMT+1
Chelsea defender Malo Gusto was shown a red card to compound his side's ill-disciplined start to the season. Enzo Maresca’s team have now been reduced to 10 men on four different occasions across all competitions so far this term. However, despite a disappointing end to the match, Chelsea were able to secure all three points following a 3-0 win at The City Ground.
'It's a problem for Chelsea' - Gusto sees red after mistimed lunge
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Chelsea may have secured all three points during their 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, but another case of ill-discipline tarnished what could have been a perfect afternoon for Enzo Maresca’s side.
Malo Gusto was the latest member of the Chelsea squad to be shown a red card after a reckless challenge in the 87th minute of the Premier League clash.
Fortunately for the French defender, The Blues were already 3-0 up thanks to goals from Josh Acheampong, Pedro Neto and Reece James.
However, Chelsea have now been shown four red cards in their last five fixtures across all competitions, an alarming stat for a side that has also suffered an injury-hit start to the 2025/26 season.
The TNT Sports commentary could not believe that Gusto would make such a rash challenge while on a yellow card and 3-0 up away from home.
"It is a second yellow card for Malo Gusto, so Chelsea are down to ten men," said Darren Fletcher. "It is their fourth red in all competitions already for Chelsea.
"By the way, 3-0 up, away from home, why is he making a challenge like that, on a yellow?"
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Robert Sanchez was shown a straight red against Manchester United last month, and two games later, Trevoh Chalobah was sent off against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Chelsea’s third red card of the season came in their 1-0 win against Benfica when Joao Pedro was sent off in the closing stages of the game.
"This is a problem for Chelsea, I know they are going to win this game comfortably, but it is a problem for Chelsea," said Lucy Ward. "They can’t go a game without getting a red card.
"It just hurts them in their future games, doesn’t it. It is incredible. He will be fuming, Enzo Maresca, sitting in the stands after a red card like that.
"You need all your players available with the injuries that they have got."
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Things went from bad to worse for The Blues less than three minutes later when substitute Estevao was also shown a yellow card after needlessly kicking the ball away when conceding a foul.
"That’s another example, in the bigger picture, of ill-discipline from Chelsea," said Fletcher.
"Estevao gets himself a yellow when they are 3-0 up, just so he can kick the ball into the back of an empty net [after the referee had already blown for a foul].
"I mean, that is one thing that could cost them moving forward. It is certainly something that Maresca has got to get a hold of."
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