Chelsea at risk of losing two key players for Liverpool trip due to Premier League rule

Their sole defeat came against reigning champions Manchester City during the opening weekend.

Before heading to Anfield to face league leaders Liverpool after the international break, Chelsea will host Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge. However, there’s some concern regarding player availability for the Liverpool match.

Both Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana are just one yellow card away from a suspension in the Premier League.

Along with players like Joelinton, Sasa Lukic, and Sam Morsy, they have received four yellow cards so far. A fifth caution in the match against Forest would result in a one-game suspension for the critical match against Liverpool on 20 October.

Cucurella and Fofana will need to exercise caution against Forest, who are currently ninth under Nuno Espirito Santo and recently managed a win against Liverpool away from home.

According to Premier League rules, players receive a one-game suspension after five yellow cards in the first 19 matches of the season.

These cautions don’t carry over to the Carabao Cup or FA Cup, and 10 yellow cards within the first 32 matches result in a two-game ban.

Chelsea recently secured a 4-2 victory over Gent in the Conference League without Cucurella and Fofana, and Maresca remains satisfied with the team’s overall performance.

Speaking in his press conference, he said: “We are performing not only in attack but defensively very well. We are happy.

“I need to repeat always the same: For sure, we can do many, many things better – we can attack better and defend better.”