Maresca says ill-discipline is not an issue at Chelsea

Enzo Maresca has played down ill-discipline concerns after Chelsea received six or more yellow cards for the second time this season and will receive a fine of £50,000 after a feisty match with Nottingham Forest.

The Italian manager oversaw a 1-1 draw with Forest as six of his players, including Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella, were booked with the defensive duo now suspended for the match following the international break away at Liverpool.

Chris Wood opened the scoring and Noni Madueke equalised in a hectic second half where James Ward-Prowse was sent off for deliberate handball to cut out a counterattack from Nicolas Jackson.

Then followed a mass altercation involving the majority of both of the two squads, with videos showing Jackson apparently slapping Forest defender Morato.

When asked if ill-discipline is a concern, Maresca said: "It’s something we need to improve but overall, I like the team the way they are fighting. I like the way they are becoming a team in these kinds of things. I don’t see any problems about that.

"For sure, there are things that we can control and do better, for sure no doubt, and probably this is one of the things. But if you ask me about the team spirit, the way they are fighting together, the way they are doing things together, I’m very happy."

He further explained that there are no concerns about losing Cucurella and Fofana for Liverpool in two weeks, adding: "The good news is they are all ready."

Answering whether getting a £50,000 fine, which is double the initial £25,000 fine received after the away match at Bournemouth, is an issue, explaining "I am not going to pay it!"

Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo was himself booked and echoed his counterpart's sentiments: "I was there also. I went there to try to calm it down. It is very hard for the platters to control their emotions. Very hard for us as managers to do that. So many responsibilities. We need the referees to understand."

No team received more bookings than Chelsea in the Premier League last season.