Chelsea welcome Nottingham Forest to Stamford Bridge on Sunday, but two key players will have to be careful or face missing the upcoming trip to Liverpool
Chelsea fans will be eager for a positive result against Nottingham Forest, although coming away with three points isn’t all they have to worry about on Sunday.
That’s because two of Chelsea’s top defenders are on the brink of suspension. If they each get a yellow card, it would see them miss the crucial clash with Liverpool after the international break.
Both Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana have racked up four yellow cards each this season. That puts them both one caution away from a one-match ban.
Considering the significance of the Blues’ journey to Anfield on October 20, every tackle by Cucurella and Fofana will undoubtedly have Chelsea fans on tenterhooks this Sunday.
The Chelsea pair aren’t the only ones skating on thin ice this week, as Fulham’s Sasa Lukic, Ipswich’s Sam Morsy and Newcastle’s Joelinton are all in danger of suspension too.
Despite being strong favourites for their match with Nottingham Forest, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have kicked off the season on a high note. Forest have only suffered one defeat so far, with two victories and three draws under their belt.
Cucurella is one of two players who could be ruled out of the Liverpool game (
Justin Setterfield)
The Midlands team are surpassing expectations, currently sitting in 9th place. And they have already pulled off a major upset this season with their 1-0 win at Liverpool.
Chelsea have also started the season well, occupying fourth spot, just a few points behind first-place Liverpool. Under Maresca’s leadership, the Blues have displayed some stunning, fluid attacking football, netting seven goals in their last two games.
Wesley Fofana has struggled with injuries at Chelsea, but has looked sharp so far this campaign (
Ryan Hiscott)
Maresca, who moved to Chelsea in the summer after a stint managing Leicester, will be keen for his team to maintain their momentum as the season unfolds, with the club firmly eyeing a spot in the Champions League.
The Blues also go into the Forest game buoyed by their 4-2 Europa Conference League triumph at home against Gent on Thursday night, where Cucurella remained on the bench.