Chelsea at risk of losing star player in next weeks due to Premier League rule

Chelsea’s push for a top-four finish has been thrown into jeopardy after it emerged that midfield linchpin Moises Caicedo is one caution away from triggering a mandatory two-match ban. With only goal difference separating Mauricio Pochettino’s side from sixth-placed Liverpool, the timing could scarcely be worse.

Premier League regulations dictate that any player accumulating 10 yellow cards before their club’s 32nd fixture must serve an immediate two-game suspension. Caicedo, already on eight cautions, has just five league outings—Arsenal (A), Aston Villa (H), Newcastle United (A), Everton (H) and Manchester City (A)—to keep his tally below the threshold.

The Ecuador international has already sat out four Premier League matches and five in total this season because of disciplinary issues, and his absence would leave Chelsea without the ball-winning presence that has underpinned their recent resurgence. Compounding the problem, centre-back Wesley Fofana will miss Sunday’s derby at Arsenal after collecting two yellows in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Burnley.

While Caicedo could theoretically alter his approach to avoid further bookings, teammates insist the 22-year-old’s combative style is non-negotiable. “Sometimes that’s the risk I need to take,” Caicedo said in January. “It’s good, and I’m going to keep playing like this because it’s my style.”

Enzo Fernandez is the only other squad member approaching the danger zone, currently on six yellows, but the rest of the dressing room sit on five or fewer. Nonetheless, Chelsea’s disciplinary record—already dented by multiple red cards this term—remains a lurking threat as they negotiate the division’s most demanding run-in.

With Champions League qualification on a knife-edge, every point is precious; losing Caicedo for any portion of the final stretch may prove the difference between a return to Europe’s elite or another season in the wilderness.