‘Vital’ Chelsea player says he is being unfairly treated in the Premier League right now

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Chelsea’s disciplinary record in the Premier League this season is likely to cause concern behind the scenes.

Even if Enzo Maresca defends the frequent picking up of yellow cards, it is going to quickly start to affect his matchday squad on a regular basis.

He will be without Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana for their next Premier League game against Liverpool, with Robert Sanchez hinting at frustration at the manner of some of their bookings.

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This will provide a big chance for the likes of Renato Veiga to stake their claim, although it is hard to argue just how big Cucurella is in particular to how Chelsea play under Maresca.

Martin Keown has described the Spaniard as ‘vital’ to the Blues, and his ability to feature in a number of roles backs this up.

Marc Cucurella thinks he is unfairly treated in the Premier League

Five yellow cards in seven league games is steep, although Cucurella has hinted that he thinks he might be getting targeted after Spain’s win over England in the European Championship final.

He said to Cope: “You have more impact, people know you more. Being a Euro champion is historic and you will always take that with you. Well, I’ve already been suspended for five yellow cards and I’ve committed few fouls; they’re going after me a bit.

“They jump on me quickly, especially when we play away. It’s normal, we won, I was involved in the goal, I’m playing at their home… it’s normal, they’re hurt.”

Cucurella suspended after five yellow cards

The booking picked up by Cucurella against Nottingham Forest last time out in particular seemed harsh, with him being the player bundled into his manager that caused a brawl late on.

Discipline slipped away from the Blues last season too, although twice already this season the club have been charged after picking up too many yellow cards in a single game.

The suspensions that come from these could well be the moment some of the fringe players need to break into what has been a consistent Premier League starting XI up to now.