‘It’s Difficult’: Reece James Debunks Chelsea’s Disciplinary Issue Accusation

Chelsea captain Reece James has denied suggestions the London club are suffering from a disciplinary problem after their latest red card against Nottingham Forest.

Enzo Maresca’s side secured a comfortable 3–0 win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday. However, the victory was marred by a late red card for Malo Gusto, whose lunge to prevent a counter-attack earned him a second yellow.

Gusto’s red card means each of Chelsea’s last four games has included one red card, including for manager Enzo Maresca, while the Blues have finished with 10 players in five of their last six outings across all competitions.

This has led to claims that the Blues have a problem when it comes to discipline.

Maresca has already brushed off the suggestions, and now captain James has argued that his dismissed teammates have simply been victims of unfortunate circumstance.

Chelsea’s French defender Malo Gusto was shown a red card in Chelsea’s victory over Nottingham Forest  (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

“It’s difficult, if you look at all of them, they’re all very different,” James said. “They’re not all straight reds.

“I was next to [Gusto] when I saw him going for the tackle, and it was a split second in it. He was there to win the ball, and just mistimed it.

“I wouldn’t say it is a problem for us. We have to accept it. This is what’s happened in the past few games, but it’s not something that will continue.”

Chelsea are the only team in the Premier League to have been shown more than one red card so far this season, sinking them right to the bottom of the division’s Fair Play standings.

The London club have been plagued by disciplinary concerns since the arrival of the new ownership in 2022. The 2023–24 campaign under Mauricio Pochettino produced a record of 105 yellow cards and the total of 301 yellows over the past three seasons is well above any other side in the division.