Liam Rosenior shown biggest Chelsea problem amid worst Premier League discipline in more than a decade

Jan 7, 2026 - 23:15

Chelsea’s disciplinary record slumped to an unwanted low following a one-minute card frenzy in the 2-1 defeat at Fulham.

The Blues may miss out on top spot in the Premier League this season but there is a good chance they will finish top of the disciplinary table.

This has become a familiar sight for Chelsea fans this season

Marc Cucurella was sent off for a foul on Harry Wilson and three Chelsea players were booked in the immediate aftermath

Chelsea were left stunned on Wednesday night after a 22nd-minute red card for defender Marc Cucurella for a foul on Harry Wilson.

While the Spaniard was given his marching orders he wasn’t the only player issued with a card in the aftermath.

Headloss

In the space of just 60 seconds, the match official brandished yellow cards to Enzo Fernandez, Tosin Adarabioyo and Cole Palmer for their protests at the decision.

Chelsea have now received five red cards this season – the most of any Premier League side.

And if that statistic wasn’t damning enough, the west London club have received the most red cards of any Premier League team in the last 11 years at this point in the season.

Only two teams have been hampered more times than Chelsea after 21 games in history.

Leicester City recorded six reds in the 1994/95 season, while West Bromwich Albion achieved the same feat in the 2010/11 campaign.

It took until the 2-1 victory over Liverpool on October 4 for Chelsea to complete a match without picking up a yellow card.

But it proved to be an anomaly as the Blues reverted to factory settings in spectacular fashion with three yellow cards and a red in their subsequent league game at Nottingham Forest.

The Premier League fair play table hands clubs one point for every yellow card and five for a red with Chelsea comfortably leading the way.

Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was sent off for Chelsea in the early stages of their defeat at Manchester United in September

Liam Delap was given his marching orders in the Carabao Cup win at Wolves in October[/caption]

A long-standing issue

Chelsea’s disciplinary issues appear to be nothing new. In the 2022/23 season, they finished sixth in the fair play table with 86 points.

The following campaign, Chelsea they accumulated the most points (117) and in doing so set a new Premier League record of 105 yellow cards.

There was little improvement in Enzo Maresca’s first season in charge where Chelsea recorded the second-highest points total with 106.

That will be something new boss Liam Rosenior will no doubt look to change as he implements his ideas on his new squad.

The 41-year-old watched from the stands at Craven Cottage as his side slipped to a 2-1 derby defeat.

Raul Jimenez put the Cottagers in front early in the second half before Liam Delap levelled from close range in the 72nd minute.

Liam Rosenior has his work cut out improving Chelsea’s disciplinary record[/caption]

But Chelsea’s ten men were unable to hold out for a point when Wilson netted the winner nine minutes from time.

The defeat leaves Chelsea winless in their last five league games and will be without Cucurella for the Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg clash at Arsenal next Wednesday.