Manchester City's Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is walking a disciplinary tightrope and stands on the verge of making an unwanted piece of Premier League history.
The Unprecedented Suspension Threat
The 26-year-old shot-stopper has collected four yellow cards in just ten league appearances since his summer move from Paris Saint-Germain. If he receives one more caution, he will become the first goalkeeper in the competition's history to be suspended purely for accumulating five yellow cards.
Donnarumma's latest booking came during City's dramatic 3-2 victory over Leeds United on Saturday. He was shown a yellow for dissent, which marks the third time he has been penalised for that specific offence since arriving in England. His other caution this season was for time-wasting.
A Race Against the Clock
The Italy international must now navigate a crucial period without further indiscipline. His immediate challenge is Tuesday night's trip to Fulham, followed by the five Premier League fixtures that follow. The threshold for a one-match ban rises from five to ten yellow cards after a team's 19th match of the season, which for City is their game at Sunderland on New Year's Day.
This calendar quirk could ultimately save Donnarumma from suspension, provided he avoids a booking in these next several games. While other goalkeepers have faced disciplinary issues, the proximity of his offences is what threatens to count against him. The record for most bookings by a goalkeeper in a single Premier League season is held by former Arsenal star Jens Lehmann, who received eight during the 2006/07 campaign.
Controversy and Quality in Manchester
Donnarumma's arrival at the Etihad has been largely successful, with the keeper making several sensational saves and quickly demonstrating his world-class quality after City acted swiftly to secure his signature from PSG.
However, his antics have placed him in the spotlight. During the Leeds match, he went down with an apparent injury, forcing a stoppage in play. This pause allowed City players to congregate near the touchline and receive instructions from manager Pep Guardiola at a time when Leeds were applying significant pressure.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke was clear in his post-match assessment, suggesting the injury was not genuine. "Everyone knows why he went down. Why he went down was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart," Farke stated. He revealed he questioned the fourth official about the incident but was told their "hands are tied."
Farke used the incident to highlight a potential loophole in the laws, noting that unlike for outfield players, play cannot continue while a goalkeeper receives treatment, a rule that can be exploited for tactical breaks.
As the fixtures come thick and fast, all eyes will be on Donnarumma to see if he can maintain his composure and avoid etching his name into the Premier League record books for the wrong reason.
