Chelsea star given football's most embarrassing label by former Blue

The pressure is on if Chelsea are to qualify for next season's Champions League. 

Liam Rosenior's men suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat away to Arsenal last weekend, leaving them six points off the top four. 

And with a huge game away to Aston Villa up next, anything less than a win would see Chelsea's hopes of playing elite European football next season over.

After his second half sending off against the Gunners, one player who won't be featuring against the Villains is winger Pedro Neto. 

Pedro Neto's work rate heavily criticised by Carlton Cole

Neto was shown a second yellow card after 70 minutes for a reckless challenge on Gabriel Martinelli, and former Blue Carlton Cole thinks the winger's lack of desire to get back was to blame.

Cole features on The Dressing Room podcast alongside Joe Cole, where the pair recently discussed Neto's on field behaviour. 

Joe Cole believes Neto's challenge was typical of a forward, but Cole didn't agree, and branded the former Wolves man 'lazy'. 

"I think it’s worse, I think you’re giving him grace.

I think it was laziness. It was lazy. He knew he had to run some yards back.

I also think he’s forgotten he’s on a yellow because it’s happened so soon. But he made a decision because he didn’t want to run back."

A damming assessment from two of Chelsea's former players. Both of whom know what is required to play for the side having made well over 300 appearances for the club combined.

Chelsea's discipline a major cause for concern

It's no secret that Chelsea have the worst disciplinary record in the Premier League.

Neto's sending off last weekend was the Blues' seventh red card of the season which puts them four ahead than the next worst side (Spurs, 3).

Crucially, all seven of Chelsea's red cards this season have been shown to seven different players.

In addition to Neto, the others to be shown reds are: Marc Cucrella, Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Mosies Caicedo, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, Robert Sanchez, Malo Gusto, and former managewr Enzo Maresca.

The vast list of names suggests the team's lack of discipline is a widespread issue and not isolated to just the same one or two individuals.

And it's undoubtedly costing them. If they're not going down to 10 men when the match is level, they're chasing games after giving their opponents a man advantage.

Regardless of how the Blues' season ends, it's absolutely imperative that Rosenior addresses his side's awful card record before next season.