Enzo Maresca says his Chelsea team ‘need to improve’ their disciplinary record after six players were booked against Nottingham Forest and two suspended for their upcoming trip to Liverpool.
Maresca takes his side to Anfield after the international break but will be without Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella after they both received their fifth yellow cards of the season in the 1-1 draw with Forest.
Four other Chelsea players – Levi Colwill, Moises Caicedo, Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto also received bookings, meaning the Blues will receive a £25,000 fine from the Premier League.
‘I said many times it is something we need to improve,’ Maresca said when asked about Chelsea’s disciplinary record this season. ‘But I like the team the way they are fighting and become a team.’
Two Forest stars went into the book and referee Chris Kavanagh also sent off James Ward-Prowse for two infringements.
The red card came with around 20 minutes of the match remaining but Chelsea were unable to make their numerical advantage count as Forest held on to secure a point.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side took the lead shortly after half-time through Chris Wood before Noni Madueke equalised ten minutes later.
‘I think we deserved to win,’ Maresca added after Sunday’s Premier League clash ended 1-1.
‘They are a very good team and we knew they would defend well. It was a tough and tricky game, very different to Brighton. We were patient on the ball and created chances.
‘Overall the performance was good and I think we deserved to win. Their keeper was the best of the game. We created chances and arrived at goal in the way we want to.’
Chelsea goalscorer Madueke, meanwhile, admitted he and his teammates were ‘frustrated’ with the draw.
‘They are a stubborn side. We went into the game with the intention to take three points but we couldn’t get over the line and it’s frustrating,’ the talented winger said.
‘They were defending pretty much the whole game and sometimes it just doesn’t fall. We go into the international break and come back prepared for Liverpool.
‘Credit to them, they are resilient with a lot of players behind the ball. They know if you give us space we are dangerous, having said that we could have scored three, four or five, but its one of those games.
‘It was nice to get a goal, I’ve missed a few chances recently. Of course, we didn’t win the game so it doesn’t count for much.’
Chelsea now have 14 points from seven games this season and sit fourth going into the international break.
Rating Chelsea’s start under Maresca, Madueke added: ‘It’s a good start, just one loss in the league.
‘We’ve had some great performances with a lot of goals and we’re still conceding some sloppy goals. It’s a good start with a new manager.’
More to follow…
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