Chelsea captain Reece James will be hoping he can make it back-to-back appearances in the Club World Cup when the Blues are back in action on Friday night against Flamengo.
Blues manager Enzo Maresca has been keen to protect the England international as he looks to put his recurring injury problems in the past, and this has seen him rested multiple times in 2025.
Reports have claimed that Maresca is considering breaking Club World Cup rules and rotating his side, despite them promising to play their best possible team throughout the tournament.
There may be an extra appetite to bench James for their next game though due to the competition’s rules regarding yellow cards. Two bookings before the quarter-final stage would see a player suspended for a game.
Card-happy Ivan Barton appointed referee for Chelsea vs Flamengo
Marc Cucurella and Tosin Adarabioyo are also in danger of this, and the referee appointed for the game will offer Chelsea fans no optimism that they will avoid this fate again if they play against Flamengo.
El Salvador’s Ivan Barton has been announced as the referee for the game, and his record with cards suggests there could be a number handed out on Friday.
According to Transfermarkt, the 34-year-old has handed out 122 yellow cards in just 23 games this season, as well as eight sending offs.
While Chelsea or any of their players have not been officiated by Barton, plenty will have to be on their best behaviour to not cost the club later in the competition.
Reece James’ disciplinary record
While James has not been a prolific recipient of yellow cards in his Chelsea career, he had to learn a quick lesson when it came to red cards after being made club captain.
The Englishman was sent off twice in his first season as skipper, including one that saw him ineligible for the first two Premier League fixtures under Maresca’s tenure at the club.
There is a high chance that Malo Gusto is preferred to start either against Flamengo or ES Tunis, with Josh Acheampong also providing an option to play right-back in the Chelsea squad.
James will have to avoid a booking in their potential Round of 16 tie too in order for him to see that yellow card wiped away.
