Pep Guardiola, Unai Emery, Regis Le Bris – Premier League managers on brink of suspension chaos
Premier League managers may be without some key players over the Christmas period as suspensions loom all over the country.
Arsenal currently lead the race for the Premier League title, and with just 20 yellow cards, Mikel Arteta does not have to worry about any further absentees from his squad.
Newcastle United are the only team with fewer yellow cards, but with Ben White rejoining the treatment table alongside Gabriel Magalhaes and Max Dowman, the Gunners have been weakened.
Several teams could suffer much worse fates over the coming weeks, with matches coming thick and fast in England’s top division, and these managers, specifically, will need to tread extra carefully.
Leeds United
Ethan Ampadu remains a key player for Leeds United, but with four yellow cards to his name, the midfielder is just one step away from being suspended for one match.
Alongside him, Jayden Bogle has picked up four bookings in 16 appearances, unsurprisingly, given that he was the Whites’ most-cautioned player during the 2024-25 Championship campaign.
Brighton
Brighton are currently the third-most yellow-carded team in the Premier League, a stat which should concern Fabian Hurzeler heading into the second half of the campaign.
With Carlos Baleba heading away for AFCON, the manager’s main concerns should be Ferdi Kadioglu and Mats Wieffer, who are both sitting on four cautions before facing Sunderland on Saturday, 20 December.
Aston Villa
Although Aston Villa are one of the better-behaved teams in the Premier League, both Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara have four yellows next to their names.
The duo are incredibly important to Unai Emery‘s tactics, and with the Villans firmly in the Premier League title race, the manager cannot afford to lose either of them before the 19th game of the season.
Man City
Man City are just two points behind the league leaders, Arsenal, after 16 games. Their current form would suggest that the title is firmly in their grasp, with the Gunners nearly slipping up against Wolves.
Things could certainly change if either Gianluigi Donnarumma or club captain Bernardo Silva pick up their fifth bookings of the campaign, even with a number of options available on the bench.
Sunderland
Very few supporters can believe just how well Sunderland are doing in the Premier League, but with multiple players leaving for AFCON, it could get worse for the Black Cats.
As well as losing Reinildo and Noah Sadiki, Granit Xhaka is one game away from a suspension, and given that he has proven himself as Regis Le Bris‘ most important player, that could be disastrous.