The Italian tactician, however, has opted for a hands-off approach, entrusting his squad to self-regulate through an internal fines mechanism rather than imposing top-down penalties.

Speaking alongside veteran defender Tosin Adarabioyo, aged 28 and the squad's senior figure, during a Tuesday press briefing at Stamford Bridge ahead of Wednesday's Champions League showdown with Ajax, Maresca outlined his empathetic style. When quizzed on the fines pot swelling for the team's Christmas bash, Adarabioyo chuckled and said: "That’s something that will stay between us."

Maresca elaborated on why he shuns traditional punishments: "Personally, I'm not the kind of manager who punishes players. In my view, I don't think it's the right way. I prefer to help them to understand and then from that do the right things. I have four kids, and when they do something wrong, I don't punish them."

He continued: "I try to teach them to do the right things. And I try to treat the players in the same way. I try to help them to understand, not to punish them. This is the way I see things. It can be right or wrong, I don't know, but it's the way I see things. I think the players have a system between the changing room, inside the changing room, so a fine is something that they manage."

This player-led setup echoes past practices at the club. Back in the 2019-20 season under Frank Lampard, a leaked fines chart at Cobham training ground detailed penalties like twenty thousand pounds for tardiness at sessions, with proceeds funneled into squad events and charities.

Maresca acknowledged room for improvement in avoiding dismissals but stressed case-by-case analysis: "For sure, it's something we can do better. Some of the red cards, we can avoid that. I think the Malo one is avoidable because the game is almost finished." He has maintained there's no overarching discipline crisis, even as the Blues sit bottom of the Premier League's fair play standings.

The recent reds feature goalkeeper Robert Sanchez against Manchester United, defender Trevoh Chalobah against Brighton, forward Joao Felix against Benfica in Europe, Maresca himself for overzealous celebrations in a dramatic late victory over Liverpool, which earned him an eight thousand pounds fine and a one-game touchline ban, and right-back Malo Gusto for a needless second yellow in the away triumph at Nottingham Forest.

Felix's ban opens the door for young striker Marc Guiu to potentially lead the line against Ajax. On the injury front, midfielder Enzo Fernandez could feature after shaking off a knee problem, while forward Liam Delap, out since August with a hamstring setback, is poised to rejoin training in the coming week.

The Dutch visitors Ajax have endured a tough spell, piling pressure on boss John Heitinga, making Chelsea strong favorites to claim three points in this league-phase encounter at the Bridge.

South Africa shine in 2023 AFCON awards ceremony