As revealed by FA’s official Twitter handle, Chelsea’s captain, Reece James, is facing charges from the Football Association (FA) following an incident in the tunnel after their recent loss to Aston Villa.
Despite being sidelined due to injury, the English defender is accused of misconduct by the FA.
Following the Blues’ 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on September 24, there are reports of an incident where James confronted referee Jarred Gillett.
The FA has issued a charge against the full-back, who has until September 29 to respond to the alleged breach of FA rule E3.
This incident is another addition to Chelsea’s ongoing disciplinary issues this season, which has led manager Mauricio Pochettino to address his players.
Must Read: Chelsea 0-1 Aston Villa: Match Report | Premier League 2023-24
— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) September 27, 2023
Nicolas Jackson received his fifth yellow card in just his sixth Premier League appearance during the match against Villa. As a result, he will be unavailable for the club’s upcoming league game against Fulham.
Additionally, midfielder Enzo Fernandez is on the verge of a suspension, with just one more yellow card separating him from that consequence.
During the Villa match, the West Londoners found themselves down to ten players and ultimately conceded a goal scored by Ollie Watkins.
Defender Malo Gusto was sent off for a reckless tackle on Lucas Digne, highlighting the need for Chelsea to improve their discipline and maturity.
However, the team’s concerns go beyond this issue. Chelsea currently find themselves in 14th place in the Premier League, having accumulated just five points from their first six matches.
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This marks their poorest start to a season in eight years, intensifying the pressure on manager Pochettino.
Nevertheless, Chelsea managed to set aside their league struggles momentarily, securing a hard-fought 1-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion in the League Cup. This victory, only their second of the season, offers a glimmer of hope for their fans.
