Chelsea
Chelsea’s recent performances have been marred by a series of red cards, significantly impacting their position in the Premier League standings. In four of their last seven games, the Blues have dropped points from winning or drawing positions due to dismissals. These lapses have left them seven points adrift of where they could have been, potentially positioning them third in the league. Notably, two matches against Arsenal ended with the same result despite the red cards, suggesting Chelsea might have turned draws into wins or defeats into draws if they had maintained a full squad on the pitch.
Martin Keown said: “It’s not about young legs everywhere. It’s having that right balance. I think we saw that with the Chelsea teams that are kind of an example of that.”
The former Arsenal defender emphasized the importance of balance within the team, drawing on past Chelsea sides as examples. Keown’s comments come ahead of Chelsea’s clash against Aston Villa, a match that will be broadcast on TNT Sports and discovery+. The Blues have been struggling to keep pace in the race for Champions League qualification, currently trailing Aston Villa by six points and Liverpool by three.
Keown said: “He knows he’s on a booking. He knows he’s on a booking, doesn’t he? I think that sometimes when someone’s like outpacing you, that can be an ego one, and he didn’t want it on his watch, and he’s got to be careful there. He simply wasn’t.”
Pedro Neto’s recent sending-off against Arsenal exemplified Chelsea’s disciplinary issues. The winger’s late tackle on Gabriel Martinelli resulted in his dismissal, marking him as the seventh Chelsea player to be sent off in the Premier League this season. Keown highlighted the need for players to manage their egos and remain cautious, especially when already on a booking.
On the Blues’ discipline, the TNT Sports pundit added: “It’s a really fine balance because you want your team to be aggressive and at boiling point, but you don’t want to boil over. And I think that they boiled over far too many times. I know the manager didn’t want to inflame it, should we say? If I’m in charge and you’ve gone down to the fourth official and you just got sent off. It’s going to inflame me. They’ve got to address that, and if they can get that right, then they can be successful.”
Keown’s analysis underscores the delicate balance Chelsea must strike between aggression and composure. The Blues’ disciplinary record has not only affected their current standing but also put additional pressure on manager Liam Rosenior. As Chelsea continue to vie for a Champions League spot, addressing these issues could be pivotal to their success.
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