Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca already knows that he will be without one of his key players for their now-crucial final Club World Cup group stage game.
Nicolas Jackson is suspended for the match against ES Tunis after being sent off just minutes after his introduction in the 3-1 defeat to Flamengo.
Jackson is banned for at least one game, however that could be extended based on how severe FIFA see the situation as being.
This means that Liam Delap is almost certain to start the final group game, as well as the first Premier League game of the new season. The Senegal international is also suspended for that.
Liam Delap and five other Chelsea players in danger of missing Club World Cup Round of 16 tie
Despite his place in the side looking secure, he is also on a yellow card as a result of the feisty affair against their Brazilian opposition.
As per FIFA rules, two yellow cards before the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup will see a player suspended for the next game.
As well as Delap, Reece James, Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella, Tosin Adarabioyo and Pedro Neto are all a booking away from being suspended for their next game.
With the likelihood being that the Blues will face Bayern Munich in the Round of 16 should they progress, Maresca will need his best players available for the tie against one of the best sides in Europe.
Yellow cards becoming costly for Chelsea
While a booking in a Premier League game does not hold any significant financial implications, the same is not the case for the Club World Cup.
According to FCInterNews, the fine for a yellow card is nearly £9,000, while Jackson’s straight red card will cost the Blues nearly £15,000.
Chelsea have a problem with discipline in their first team squad at the moment. They picked up the most yellow cards in the Premier League last season with 100.
To make matters worse, their new signing, Delap, picked up the most bookings for an individual player last season, and will need to be on his best behaviour against ES Tunis in order to avoid a suspension in this tournament.
