Chelsea’s gameplay lately has become one that attracts football purists, opposition fans and pundits alike as Maurizio Sarri has developed his side to keep the ball more and dominate their rivals.
His introduction of an attacking brand of football means fans do not really expect to see Chelsea players in the bad books of referees. Keeping the ball means there is less chance to tackle the opposition badly. But the opening half in the stalemate with Everton made it difficult for the Blues to keep their composure.
Match official Kevin Friend dished out five yellow cards in the first half alone, making it the most of any Premier League game this season. Three of those were shown to Chelsea players with N’Golo Kante, Antonio Rudiger and Jorginho all getting into the referee’s books for challenges and altercations.
5 – There were five yellow cards in the opening 45 minutes between Chelsea and Everton, the most in the first half of a single Premier League game this season. Excitable. #CHEEVE
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 11, 2018
It is not defining of what to expect at Chelsea in the coming months but Sarri would like to iron out these bad records to get his side to the kind of global attraction levels the top hierarchy hope to see.
