AFC Bournemouth could be forced to face Chelsea this weekend without two important players, with the Premier League's disciplinary rules threatening to derail Andoni Iraola's plans.
Disciplinary Tightrope for Cherries Duo
Defender Alex Jimenez and midfielder Tyler Adams are both one yellow card away from a one-match suspension, having each accumulated four bookings so far this campaign. The crucial fixture comes on Tuesday evening when Bournemouth host Everton at the Vitality Stadium. Should either player receive a caution against the Toffees, they will be automatically ruled out of Saturday's encounter with Chelsea.
This presents a significant selection headache for manager Iraola, whose side currently sit 11th in the table. The potential absences come after a disappointing 3-2 defeat away at Sunderland, where the Cherries surrendered a two-goal lead.
Profiles of the At-Risk Players
The 20-year-old Alex Jimenez is on a season-long loan from Italian giants AC Milan, having joined the Dorset club to gain valuable first-team experience. The full-back, formerly of Real Madrid, has made eight appearances for Bournemouth since his summer arrival.
Tyler Adams, the 52-cap United States international, has been a mainstay since his 2023 move from Leeds United. The defensive midfielder has played 50 times for the Cherries, scoring twice, and his energy and tenacity in the middle of the park would be a major miss against a top-four side.
Chelsea's Form and Upcoming Schedule
Meanwhile, Chelsea travel to the south coast sitting third in the Premier League, six points off the summit. Enzo Maresca's side are preparing for a busy week, with a trip to Elland Road to face struggling Leeds United on Wednesday preceding the Bournemouth match.
The Blues come into this period on the back of a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, where a goal from Trevoh Chalobah was cancelled out by Mikel Merino. The match was marred by a first-half red card for midfielder Moises Caicedo. Chelsea will be hoping for a more straightforward passage against a Leeds side under pressure, before turning their attention to the potential bonus of facing a depleted Bournemouth.
The suspension threat adds an intriguing subplot to Saturday's fixture, with team news from Bournemouth's midweek game against Everton now carrying significant weight for both clubs.
