Gianluigi Donnarumma’s Discipline: A Growing Concern for Man City?

Premier League suspensions for accumulated yellow cards are piling up. Cristian Romero, Marcos Senesi, and Sasa Lukic seem almost predictable names on that list, given their defensive roles. But Lucas Paqueta, David Brooks, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall? Those are different stories. Yet, there’s a new name that could soon join their ranks, and it’s raising eyebrows for all the wrong reasons: Gianluigi Donnarumma.

The prospect of a goalkeeper getting suspended due to excessive bookings is, frankly, bizarre. Donnarumma, the Man City shot-stopper, is teetering on the edge of that very reality. And what makes it even more perplexing is that he wasn’t even a City player at the start of the season. In just 14 appearances, he’s racked up five yellow cards – four in the Premier League and one in Europe. What’s truly alarming? Almost all of them were for dissent, for mouthing off to officials. Only one was for perceived time-wasting.
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Paqueta’s self-inflicted wound against Liverpool showcased how costly a player’s lack of discipline can be. Now, Donnarumma’s impending suspension is looming large, prompting questions about his temperament.

Adding fuel to the fire, Leeds manager Daniel Farke has already accused Donnarumma of feigning injury to disrupt the game. That accusation is a clear indication that opponents are starting to notice, and perhaps even exploit, the goalkeeper’s behavior.

It’s curious that Pep Guardiola seems reluctant to intervene. Asked if he’d address Donnarumma’s disciplinary issues, Guardiola’s curt responses – “James [Trafford] will play,” or “He has many, it is what it is” – suggest a strange detachment.
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Given Guardiola’s meticulous nature, this nonchalance seems out of character. Or is it a calculated risk? City has lost the last three matches where Trafford, the backup keeper, has started. Perhaps Guardiola’s playing it cool, hoping Donnarumma gets the message without direct intervention.

Still, it’s worth noting that Donnarumma didn’t arrive with this reputation. During his last season with Paris Saint-Germain, he received only three bookings. Even last season across all competitions, including international duty, he only tallied six. That works out to one yellow every 8.5 games. Now, with City, he’s getting booked every 2.8 matches. A clear escalation.

Could it be an adjustment to the Premier League’s officiating style? He received yellows against Bournemouth and Newcastle for disputing set-piece goals, suggesting he feels referees allow too much contact with goalkeepers during free kicks and corners. This might be a sign of frustration, but reacting with dissent isn’t the answer.

Remember the Champions League game against Monaco? Donnarumma seemed to risk a second yellow card by sparking a confrontation after a penalty was awarded. These instances paint a picture of a player who involves himself in disputes a little too readily.

City arguably needed a strong personality in goal, and Donnarumma certainly brings that presence. Yet, sometimes, silence is golden. When Donnarumma first signed, the focus was on his perceived shortcomings with his feet. His passing, surprisingly, hasn’t been the problem. His mouth, on the other hand, has become a real concern.

Ultimately, Donnarumma is on the brink of a needless suspension, a situation born more out of frustration and dissent than tactical fouls or necessary aggression. City invested in his shot-stopping abilities, not his ability to argue with referees. Getting his head in the game is now critical.

The challenge for Donnarumma is clear: channel that passion and energy into his performance, not into confrontations with officials. For Guardiola, the decision to intervene – or not – could significantly impact City’s title aspirations. The risk, it seems, is escalating along with Donnarumma’s yellow card count. The question becomes, how long will he let it ride?

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Keywords: Donnarumma, Man City, yellow cards, suspension, Guardiola, Premier League, discipline, goalkeeper