Enzo Maresca will be disappointed with something Moises Caicedo did in Chelsea’s 2-2 draw against Bournemouth.
The Blues went 1-0 down within six minutes at Stamford Bridge, but they had turned it around 17 minutes later.
Unfortunately, Justin Kluivert scored the fourth goal of the game within half an hour to make it 2-2.
Chelsea were then unable to find a winner despite being by far the better team throughout the second half.
And Maresca has more than just the result to worry about; he must deal with a problem Caicedo has just created.
Moises Caicedo is Chelsea’s most important player…
Since he joined, Chelsea have won just 25% of games (2/8) which Moises Caicedo hasn’t started (Opta Analyst)
Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo clapping
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
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Moises Caicedo will miss Manchester City game after yellow card vs Bournemouth
Moises Caicedo had received four yellow cards in the Premier League this season before Chelsea’s game against Bournemouth.
This meant that if he picked up another booking on Tuesday night, he would then miss the Blues’ trip to Manchester City on Sunday.
Well, it took Caicedo just four minutes to commit a foul that referee Sam Barrott deemed to be a yellow card offence.
Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo clapping
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
The Ecuadorian can count himself unlucky, as there was minimal contact, but he made another reckless tackle during the first half anyway.
He will now be suspended for Chelsea’s match against Man City this weekend, making Maresca’s job even more difficult.
There is probably no worse fixture to be missing your ball-winning midfielder than away to a Pep Guardiola side.
Does Moises Caicedo have a discipline problem? 🤔
Caicedo receives one-game suspension!
Moises Caicedo will miss Chelsea’s game against Manchester City after picking up his fifth yellow card🤦♂️
Newcastle United v Chelsea - Premier League
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
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Enzo Maresca must replace Moises Caicedo with Reece James vs Manchester City
Fortunately for Maresca, there is an obvious solution to the problem Caicedo has created with his suspension.
Reece James has proven that he can be as good in central midfield as he is at right-back.
He will surely play in the number six position alongside Enzo Fernandez at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Alternatively, Maresca could play Andrey Santos in a deeper role, but that would not fill many Chelsea fans with confidence.
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