Sarri on his future, Kante’s role, Abramovich, booing from fans and whether he thinks he’ll be sacked
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri spoke about a number of issues at a media conference ahead of the game against Malmo. Here’s some of what the Italian had to say.
On injury news
“We have some problems at the moment. We have Zappacosta with fever, Pedro with a very strong stomachache and then we have a problem with Kepa with his hamstring.”
On whether Kepa is likely to play in Sunday’s cup final
“I hope so. I am not sure at the moment, but I hope so.”
On trying to bounce back after recent defeats
“It’s not very easy because we have no time (in between games) but we are trying to solve our problems.
“We are trying to talk with the players, trying to avoid mistakes by (watching) videos. We have to play every three days, so on the (training) pitch we have no time.”
On criticism of his tactics
“The system is a false problem. I know very well that when we lose (are losing) I have to put a striker on the pitch and when we win (are winning) I have to put a defender on the pitch. But I want to see football in another way.”
On suggestions he should move N’Golo Kante back to a defensive role
“It depends on how you see football. In that position I want a player able to move the ball very fast.
“This is not the best characteristic of N’Golo. N’Golo is very useful for us but this one is not his best characteristics.”
On Kante winning the World Cup and Premier League in that role
“But in another system.”
On Chelsea’s recent performances
“I have to think that we are able to improve and able to improve immediately because the result is not all in a match.
“In the last match (against Manchester United) we played better, especially in the first half. We have to solve a problem, because we stayed in the other half for 75 minutes out of 90 and we were not able to score.
“They played only 15 or 16 balls into our box and they scored two goals. So we have to solve this problem – probably a problem of aggression and determination in both boxes.”
On whether he has spoken to Roman Abramovich
“Not this week.”
On whether the team could be changed
“Maybe, but at the moment we are making mistakes with a lot of players. Everybody sooner or later was involved in a mistake.
“So I think we need to change more the mentality than the players.”
On whether he can win over angry fans
“It’s very easy; we need to win three or four matches in a row. It’s the only solution.
“I can understand very well the frustration of our fans because they are used to winning and now we are in trouble.
“But there isn’t another way. We only have to have good performances and good results.”
On the fans jeering him against United
“I think the problem is the performance and the result against City. So for that match they are right, because we played very badly – without soul.
“So for that match I think they are right. I don’t agree for the last match, because we played a good match especially in the first half.”
On whether he believes he can turn things around
“Of course in this moment it is very difficult to imagine that we are able to win three or four matches in a row.
“But in football everything can change in one day. I think first of all we need a good performance and good result and then with more confidence we are able to do everything.”
On whether he can keep his job
“I have to think I will be the manager of Chelsea for a long time otherwise I cannot work.
“I am not sure, but I have to think this, because I want to work and I want to work with a long-term target.”
On chairman Bruce Buck being so prominent is normal
“I don’t know. I think so. He is the president.”
On whether this is his toughest spell as a manager
“Not at all. I had a lot of problems in the past, especially in league one and league two (in Italy). It’s very difficult to be a coach in Italy in league one and league two.”
