The 2023/23 Premier League season has seen a rise in yellow and red cards being awarded after a series of rule changes which has given referees more power to clamp down on time wasting and foul play.
As part of the updated rules, the increase in time added on has also provided a further window for players to be cautioned or dismissed, which naturally is quite the cause for concern for managers across England’s elite division. With that said, we take a closer look at which Premier League players have been shown the most yellow and red cards this season so far (up to week 12).
Yellow Cards
Nicolas Jackson – Chelsea – 7 bookings
The Senegal international made a slow start to his Blues career in terms of goals but wasted very little time in getting his name into the referee’s book, having been shown a yellow card in five of his first six Premier League games for Mauricio Pochettino’s side. He has picked up seven bookings in total this season with his latest coming in Sunday’s thrilling 4-4 draw with Manchester City.
Anthony Gordon – Newcastle – 6 bookings
The 22-year-old winger has been a huge hit at St James’ Park this season, contributing four goals and two assists in 11 outings. However, he has also matched that total in terms of yellow cards with his most recent booking coming in the 1-0 victory over Arsenal earlier this month.
Emerson Palmieri – West Ham – 6 bookings
The Hammers defender has featured in 11 Premier League fixtures this season and has picked up a booking in over half of those games, with his sixth and latest booking coming in the recent 3-2 defeat to Brentford. The Italian international has never been sent off in 66 appearances in England’s top-flight but he’ll need to improve his discipline if that record is to stay intact.
Edson Alvarez – West Ham – 5 bookings
The summer signing from Ajax has made a decent start to his West Ham career and is not afraid to get stuck in, having being issued five yellow cards in his first 10 Premier League appearances for David Moyes’ side. The defensive midfielder will want to keep an eye on his card count as he will likely prove pivotal for the Hammers as they look to climb the table.
Yves Bissouma – Tottenham – 5 bookings
The Mali international has been a key part in Tottenham’s strong start to the campaign and his determined performances haven’t gone unnoticed by the Spurs faithful, or Premier League referees for that matter. Bissouma has picked up five bookings and has also been giving his marching orders after seeing red in the 1-0 victory over Luton in October.
[90+3'] Nicolas Jackson and Jack Grealish are booked for an argument.
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) November 12, 2023
Red Cards
Nayef Aguerd – West Ham – 1 red card
The Moroccan defender’s most memorable Premier League performance this season came in the Hammers 3-1 victory over London rivals Chelsea in August, where he scored and was dismissed. After serving a one-game suspension against Brighton, Aguerd hasn’t missed a further minute of league action and is yet to receive any more cards, which strongly suggests he learned his lesson.
Manuel Akanji – Manchester City – 1 red card
The 28-year-old has been a big hit at the Etihad since joining Pep Guardiola’s side in 2022 but he felt the wrath of the Premier League officials when he was sent off in the final moments of the Cityzens 2-1 victory over Brighton in October. The Swiss defender has chipped in with two goals in his last two league games, not a bad way to get back into Pep’s good books.
Calvin Bassey – Fulham – 1 red card
The summer signing from Ajax has been a regular in Marco Silva’s side of late but his career in west London didn’t get off to the greatest of starts. Bassey was sent off in just his third Premier League appearance in the Cottagers 2-2 draw with Arsenal at the Emirates in August. In his five appearances since then, he hasn’t had his name taken by the referee again so some could argue his red in north London was a one-off.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde – Wolves – 1 red card
The French U21 international has only featured in four Premier League games this season and was given a straight red card after 39 minutes in Wolves’ 1-1 draw with Luton back in September. The attacking midfielder did go some way to making amends when he scored his first goal for the club against Sheffield United recently but he’ll need to keep an eye on his discipline if he is to win over the Molineux faithful.
Lewis Cook – Bournemouth – 1 red card
The central midfielder will likely be vital if the Cherries are to avoid the drop this season but his straight red card against Wolves in October is something that can’t be repeated later on in the season. The Englishman played a key part on Bournemouth’s 2-0 win over Newcastle on Saturday which shows how important he is to the team but any further dismissals will likely prove costly.
Note: All info correct as 13th November 2023
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