Moises Caicedo was replaced by Romeo Lavia in the 62nd minute of Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United.
Caicedo had to walk the tightrope throughout the game following his yellow card for a challenge on Nick Woltemade.
Paul Tierney’s decision proved that the midfielder has a significant problem with Premier League referees.
Caicedo must now look to adapt his game to ensure that Chelsea can rely on him in the final games of the season.
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Moises Caicedo has a big problem with Premier League referees
Caicedo’s yellow card against Newcastle was his ninth booking in 30 Premier League games, excluding his red against Arsenal.
Those statistics suggest that the Ecuadorian makes too many rash tackles and needs to be reined in.
However, Caicedo has actually become too good at winning the ball back for his own good.
Referees often assume he has fouled his opponent because it would have been unlikely for him to make a clean tackle.
Caicedo’s challenge on Woltemade was a perfect example, as he dispossessed the striker from an awkward angle.
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Paul Tierney then cautioned the midfielder, even though he had not committed a foul.
It seems that Caicedo’s reputation as a reckless ball-winner now precedes him, leaving him with no choice but to adapt.
Now only one yellow card away from a two-game suspension, Caicedo must stop giving the referee a decision to make.
It is a real shame that it has come to this, but the 24-year-old needs to win over the referees before he can return to his old, combative self.
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