Chelsea star Moises Caicedo avoids suspension tightrope as card to Badiashile saves £115m star
Chelsea FC’s £115 million signing Moises Caicedo fortuitously avoided walking the suspension tightrope against former club Brighton on Sunday after the referee’s yellow card was actually shown to teammate Benoit Badiashile instead.
In the chaotic aftermath of Chelsea’s dramatic 3-2 home win, it briefly appeared Caicedo was booked for a rash second-half foul on Seagulls striker Evan Ferguson according to Football.london
With the Ecuadorian already carrying three Premier League yellows, that would’ve left the Ecuadorian midfielder just one more card away from a ban. Thankfully, we appear to have avoided that concern for now.
Referee Craig Pawson later clarified the caution was brandished to Badiashile for dissent after kicking the ball away angrily rather than Caicedo’s initial challenge.
After Pawson flashed the yellow, Caicedo’s discipline remained under scrutiny as the ten-man Blues clung to their lead while he flew recklessly into tackles. But subsequent confirmation that Badiashile collected the booking enabled Caicedo to buzz around midfield unencumbered by a potential imminent suspension.
Nonetheless, the 22-year-old’s ultra-committed approach still demanded attention. His boundless industry leaves him prone to giveaways and ill-disciplined fouls. Manager Mauricio Pochettino faces an ongoing challenge curtailing Caicedo’s innate exuberance without totally suppressing the magnetic dynamism that makes him special.
Caicedo should learn to keep his aggression in check
Refereeing uncertainty momentarily placed Caicedo near the disciplinary brink on Sunday before Pawson helpfully clarified the situation post-match, keeping the midfield creator two cautions from a ban.
With Chelsea struggling to deliver consistent performances being spared losing Caicedo to accumulation by fortuitous officiating intervention felt like a huge stroke of luck. As the 22-year-old adapts quickly on the European stage, Chelsea desperately need him fit and available during this manic stretch across competitions.
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By escaping with just a reputation-enhancing midfield masterclass rather than another yellow, Caicedo lives on to fight another day while fortifying Chelsea’s outlook. Potter won’t discourage his combustible creator’s enthusiasm, but hopes further cards don’t dull Caicedo’s influential edge.