Why Joao Pedro Isn’t Playing For Chelsea Vs. Ajax

Chelsea tin convey nan intricacies of UEFA’s disciplinary rules—and João Pedro’s ain recklessness—for nan Brazilian’s absence against Ajax connected Wednesday evening.

The summertime enlistee has enjoyed a blistering commencement to life successful blue. Pedro has scarcely vanished filming his announcement video connected Miami formation by nan clip he made his debut for Chelsea successful nan Club World Cup. On his first commencement for nan westbound London outfit, he scored doubly successful a semifinal triumph complete his boyhood club, Fluminense.

The versatile 24-year-old has extended his good shape to nan Premier League, straight contributing to 5 goals crossed nan first 8 top-flight appearances for Chelsea. However, Pedro’s Champions League debut astatine Stamford Bridge ended connected a sour note.

Enzo Maresca sent Pedro connected against Benfica successful nan 61st minute. By nan 62nd, he had been booked for a foul. All nan jeopardy of José Mourinho’s Chelsea homecoming had evaporated by stoppage time, erstwhile Pedro still felt compelled to raise his footwear while challenging pinch Leandro Barreiro. Daniel Siebert promptly produced a 2nd yellowish card, handing Chelsea’s No. 20 a reddish paper which came pinch a one-match suspension.

Aside from exceptional cases, bans successful UEFA title do not transportation crossed to home matches—hence why Pedro was allowed to statement up against Liverpool 4 days later. And so, arsenic Chelsea return connected Ajax successful their adjacent Champions League fixture aft that Benfica clash, they will person to do truthful without Pedro.

Enzo Maresca (centre) will return to nan touchline for Chelsea against Ajax. / Robin Jones/Getty Images

Pedro is hardly nan only ill-disciplined personnel of nan Blues squad. There person been 5 reddish cards successful Chelsea’s past six matches, including 1 for Maresca. The head and his skipper Reece James may beryllium adamant that location is thing down this spate of dismissals, but successful position of axenic availability, nan suspensions are starting to adhd up.

Fortunately for Maresca, Liam Delap is nearing his return from a lengthy wounded layoff. The English guardant isn’t rather backmost successful clip to capable Pedro’s void against Ajax but could thief his South American teammate if they tin rediscover nan fruitful business which was blossoming earlier Delap’s injury.

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