Thiago Silva is still going strong at 39 (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Seven key players from Chelsea risk suspension, (h/t Football.London), if they receive a yellow card during the first leg of the Champions League match against Real Madrid.
A single yellow card would prevent Kepa Arrizabalaga, Reece James, Thiago Silva, Kalidou Koulibaly, Enzo Fernandez, Conor Gallagher, and Mykhailo Mudryk from playing in the return match at Stamford Bridge.
Fernandez currently has four warnings and is just one yellow away from being thrown out on suspension after three yellows, which increases with each odd number.
Yellow cards will be reset from the semifinals. Hence, being on our best behaviour in the first leg is a must so that we can then be at ease for the return leg on 18 April at Stamford Bridge. No yellows for time-wasting, needless reactions, or over-the-top celebrations should be the instruction in the dressing room.
And each player will play a crucial role in this game, so Potter will need to make a careful decision on who to start with. Potter has ample time to assess the strongest eleven for the game, which could work in the team’s favour.
Before travelling to Santiago Bernabeu, Chelsea will play four Premier League games, during which we will have to manage our players’ playing time and ensure they aren’t burned out for the European games. We must try for top-four but there is no doubt that sacrificing the Premier League season would make sense in order to win the Champions League.
Yet, if the Blues succeed in defeating Real Madrid, they will have to contend with another difficult foe, who may be either Bayern Munich or Manchester City. And in April, Potter will have a huge challenge ahead of him, and finishing in the top four could be another high objective.
Starting all of the aforementioned players, who would likely miss the second game if given a yellow card, will be exceedingly costly for Potter.
Potter will decide who to start within the first leg, though. We have adequate depth in defence and midfield, so it won’t be an issue if Gallagher or even Koulibaly are suspended. if Fernandez, James, or Kepa receive a yellow card, we will have a serious dilemma given that they are now some of the most crucial players for the squad.
Due to the presence of Wesley Fofana and Raheem Sterling, Silva and Mudryk’s potential absence won’t be noticed quite as much. But we just hope that none of them get suspended, as Potter will then have enough depth for second-leg.
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