Antonio Conte must tackle Chelsea’s creeping indiscipline... and fast!
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Updated 18/09/2017 at 08:41 GMT
Chelsea's red card woes are becoming a bit of a trend. Dan Levene on a problem that needs addressing before it becomes any more costly.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte remonstrates with referee Michael Oliver after David Luiz was shown a red card
Image credit: Reuters
Antonio Conte's mumbled post-match response to questions about Chelsea's fifth red card in eight games revealed a manager who knew he has a problem.
Conte is never one for criticising referees – and he said as much after David Luiz became the latest man to face an officially enforced lay-off from the Blues' domestic campaign.
His words trailed off as he looked for reasons, for excuses for explanations – ending in a semblance of a response which meant little.
Writing in today's Telegraph Keith Hackett, ex-referee and former general manager of the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd board, discussed the need for Chelsea to draft in help to understand where the boundaries of officialdom lie.
His role here is as a form of consultant, punting a service: so that response comes as little surprise.
But looking at each of those reds, grey areas aren't really where the side has come a cropper.
Victor Moses' dismissal in the FA Cup final, at 1-0 down and following a second yellow for simulation, was a matter of a player doing something he surely knew was wrong.
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Victor Moses of Chelsea is shown a red card by referee Anthony Taylor during the Emirates FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on May 27, 2017 in London, England
Image credit: Getty Images
And Pedro's straight red for a lunge from behind, as Chelsea were protecting a slender 1-0 lead in the Community Shield, was a forward's rash and poorly executed tackle.
Gary Cahill's opening day dismissal against Burnley was a rush of blood which was reckless; and the second yellow which followed for Cesc Fabregas was down to petulant indiscipline, with his team by then languishing at 1-3 behind.
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Chelsea's Gary Cahill is shown a red card by referee Craig Pawson for a challenge on Burnley's Steven Defour
Image credit: Reuters
Finally that Luiz early bath came for a stupid and needless lunge on, of all places, the half-way line; as his side played out an uninspiring 0-0.
If there is a uniting factor, it is not a misunderstanding of where the boundaries lie, but a matter of creeping indiscipline when the side is chasing a game.
As we saw last season: when Conte's Chelsea is on-song, it is the best XI in the country.
But it doesn't take much for things to collectively break down, and the same pattern is starting to become evident in individuals too.
Chelsea are not a dirty side, but they are one which seems to often undo good work with rash or hot-headed over-exhuberance.
If that's the cause, then the effect is clear.
As was seen in the Community Shield, and against Burnley, it is a tendency to pile tactical indiscipline on rulebook indiscipline, and suddenly fall apart.
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Chelsea's Pedro as he is shown a red card by referee Robert Madley
Image credit: Reuters
And if expert tuition is needed anywhere, it is here.
There is great truth in the apparently logic-defying claim that 'it is tricky to play against 10 men' – just not when it is Conte's Chelsea.
The ability to react quickly to such events, compacting the shape of the side and making life difficult for the opposition, is something this team is finding hard to learn.
There needs to be a greater collective understanding of the cost of some of these actions: both in play, and in following games.
Other than the Moses dive, which came about chasing a penalty to equalise, none of these cards came in potentially match-changing moments.
To lose a player for three and a bit games when he is stopping or creating a goalscoring chance is one thing: but this keeps happening at times when there is little or nothing at stake.
Is that down to the lack of calmness, and constant pressure we see from Conte in the technical area? Or is it just a matter of wayward risk management: of players taking the wrong percentage decision in the heat of the moment?
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Chelsea's Italian head coach Antonio Conte gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in London on September 17, 2017. The game ended 0-0.
Image credit: Getty Images
That is what the manager needs to look at, and address. And he needs to do that fast.
The only game to be directly affected so far is that Burnley one: where the side lost its shape and composure when dropping to ten men.
But with Luiz now out for three games, including the visit of Manchester City, this is something that may end up costing Chelsea a lot more than merely the ire of the pundits.
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