Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca could be forced to navigate a crucial Premier League showdown against Tottenham Hotspur without midfield anchor Moises Caicedo. The Blues are set to host Spurs at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, April 3, as they continue their pursuit of a top-four finish and Champions League qualification.
Chelsea’s Top-Four Push Gains Momentum
Following a dominant victory over Leicester City last weekend, Chelsea surged into the Premier League’s top four, overtaking Manchester City. The West London giants are now just six points behind second-placed Arsenal, who were recently held to a 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
However, Chelsea faces fierce competition in the battle for Champions League qualification, with Manchester City, Brighton, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, and Newcastle also vying for a coveted top-four spot. To maintain their momentum, Maresca will rely on key players like Caicedo to deliver standout performances in the coming fixtures.
Moises Caicedo at Risk of Suspension
The Ecuadorian midfielder is walking a disciplinary tightrope, and a single misstep could see him sidelined for two crucial fixtures. If Caicedo receives a yellow card during Chelsea’s high-stakes clash with Arsenal this weekend, he will face a two-match suspension, ruling him out of the Tottenham Hotspur showdown and the following fixture against Brentford at the G-Tech Community Stadium.
Premier League regulations dictate that any player accumulating 10 yellow cards within their team’s first 32 league matches will receive a two-game ban. Caicedo is currently among a group of five players at risk of reaching this threshold, alongside Ryan Christie, Liam Delap, Flynn Downes, and Joelinton.
Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella, Wesley Fofana, and Pedro Neto are also nearing disciplinary trouble, having already collected six yellow cards each this season.
Key Fixtures Ahead for Chelsea
Caicedo must carefully navigate Chelsea’s next four Premier League encounters—Arsenal (A), Tottenham (H), Brentford (A), and Ipswich Town (H)—to avoid suspension. Should he miss crucial games during the final stretch of the season, Chelsea’s Champions League aspirations could suffer a severe setback.
Maresca’s Take on Caicedo’s Disciplinary Situation
Before Chelsea’s commanding win over Leicester City, Enzo Maresca addressed the media regarding Caicedo’s precarious position. The Italian tactician made it clear that the team is solely focused on securing victories, rather than preemptively resting players to avoid suspensions.
“At this moment for us, it’s about winning games,” Maresca stated. “We need to win, so we cannot afford to rest Moi [Caicedo] just because he might get suspended. Every game matters, and we need our best players on the pitch.”
Caicedo’s Disciplinary Record Raises Concerns
Caicedo’s aggressive playing style has led to disciplinary issues throughout his career. The dynamic midfielder has already received yellow cards in five of Chelsea’s last six Premier League fixtures. Last season, he accumulated 11 or 12 bookings, a pattern that has continued in the current campaign.
“His position as a midfielder means he’s always in the thick of the action,” Maresca explained. “Sometimes, tactical fouls are necessary, and yellow cards come with the territory. Hopefully, he can avoid another booking, but it won’t be easy.”
Chelsea’s Midfield Depth Offers Solutions
Fortunately for Chelsea, they have alternative midfield options should Caicedo face suspension. The Blues have recently welcomed Romeo Lavia back to training, providing Maresca with a potential replacement. Additionally, Reece James has demonstrated versatility, having played in midfield against Copenhagen.
“The good thing is that Romeo is back in training and could be available,” Maresca added. “Reece James also has the ability to play in midfield, so we have solutions if needed.”
What’s Next for Chelsea?
As Chelsea continues its battle for a top-four finish, every point will be crucial. With upcoming fixtures against top-tier opposition, the Blues must remain disciplined and strategic to ensure they have their best squad available for the season’s defining moments.
Caicedo’s ability to avoid suspension could prove pivotal in Chelsea’s fight for Champions League football. Whether he manages to stay on the right side of the rulebook or not, Maresca’s men will need to dig deep and deliver consistent performances as the season reaches its climax.
