Chelsea’s 2025/26 campaign has taken an unusual and unwanted twist, as the club has already accumulated seven red cards across all competitions—and the season is barely three and a half months old. The Blues, often known for their intensity and competitiveness, now seem to be building a very different reputation: a team that could almost field a “Red Card Starting XI.”
The latest incident came in the highly anticipated Premier League clash against Arsenal. Midfielder Moises Caicedo became the seventh Chelsea representative to be sent off this season after a heavy challenge on Merino. The referee initially issued a yellow card, but VAR intervened, reviewing the tackle and upgrading it to a straight red. Caicedo’s stamp on the opponent’s ankle was deemed excessively forceful and dangerous, leaving Chelsea once again a player short in a crucial match. For many fans, this was just another episode in what is becoming a worrying pattern of indiscipline.
Here’s a detailed look at Chelsea’s 2025/26 Red Card Record:
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Moises Caicedo (Premier League – Round 13)
Sent off against Arsenal after VAR upgraded his challenge to a red card for a reckless stamp that endangered Merino’s safety. A moment of poor judgment that added to Chelsea's rising disciplinary crisis. -
Liam Delap (EFL Cup – Round 4)
Shown a second yellow card in the match against Wolves. Delap’s dismissal came from two avoidable challenges, leaving Chelsea with ten men in a knockout competition. -
Malo Gusto (Premier League – Round 8)
Received his marching orders against Nottingham Forest after collecting two yellow cards. His overlapping runs and aggressive defending turned costly when he mistimed successive challenges. -
Joao Pedro (Champions League – Group Stage, Round 2)
Dismissed for a second yellow card against Benfica. The forward’s frustration was evident throughout the match, and his late-game foul sealed his fate, putting Chelsea in a tough spot in Europe. -
Robert Sanchez (Premier League – Round 5)
Sent off as early as the 5th minute against Manchester United. A mistimed attempt to clear the ball resulted in a professional foul, forcing Chelsea to play nearly the entire match with ten men. -
Trevoh Chalobah (Premier League – Round 6)
Shown a red card against Brighton for a dangerous challenge. His tackle, deemed high and risky, left the referee no choice but to dismiss him. -
Enzo Maresca (Coach – Premier League, Round 7)
Even the head coach wasn’t spared. Maresca received two yellow cards for excessive celebrations during stoppage time in the match against Liverpool. His passion crossed the line and resulted in a touchline dismissal.
With more than half the season still ahead, fans are asking: Will Chelsea’s red card streak continue? Is this simply a run of bad luck, or is it a deeper issue with discipline and composure within the squad?
Share your thoughts—how many red cards do you think the Blues will end up with by the end of the season?