The FA yesterday announced that world record signing Paul Pogba has been banned for the opening game of the season. Manchester United fans who were desperate for a glimpse of their world-record signing will have to wait for a while to see him in action.
Spurs’ Dembele, Leicester’s Huth and Manchester United’s Smalling are 3 other players who will miss the first game of the season due to suspension. On that note, let’s take a look at their disciplinary record.
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Paul Pogba (Manchester United)
In his career at Juventus, Pogba had the highlight of having never been sent off. The Frenchman received 10 yellow cards in the 2015/16 Serie-A campaign but committed a rather high 95 fouls in 33 appearances averaging 2.8 fouls per game. With 18 fouls in 8 games in the Champions league, that number remains about the same.
Pogba received two yellow cards in the 2015/16 Coppa Italia and the second card came in the final. That game was also his last game in a Juventus shirt. Hence, the ban carries forward to this season and in a new league.
In his entire career, the 23-year old has received 26 yellow cards in over 150 appearances. At the international level, Pogba was responsible for conceding a penalty in the very first minute of France's’ Euro 2016 game against the Republic of Ireland, a game Les Bleus eventually ended up winning.
Robert Huth (Leicester City)
Huth is renowned for his ruggedness and hard tackling. Huth will miss the first game of the season following a clash with Marouane Fellaini. The Leicester defender was given a three-game ban, the final of which he will serve in the opening matchday.
Huth, though, has a remarkably good disciplinary record. In 198 Premier League games for Stoke and Leicester, Huth has been sent off just once and received just 37 yellow cards, 8 of those coming in the previous campaign
Chris Smalling (Manchester United)
Manchester United defender Smalling will miss the first game of the season after receiving 2 yellow cards in the FA Cup final. Smalling has received just 14 yellow cards in his Premier League career and just 1 at international level.
His FA Cup sending off was just the second red card of his career after receiving one in the 14/15 Premier League campaign.
Moussa Dembele (Tottenham Hotspur)
Moussa Dembele is currently serving a 6 game suspension as a result of violent conduct. The Belgian clashed with Diego Costa and was suspended after the incident was caught on camera.
Apart from this violent conduct charge, Dembele has an exemplary record, having never been sent off in his professional career. In over 110 appearances for club and country, the Tottenham midfielder has received just 13 yellow cards. The midfielder will be sorely missed as his side travel to the Goodison for their opening game.
