Cup final was a turning point for Chelsea, says Sarri

Maurizio Sarri believes the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City will prove to be a turning point for Chelsea.

Head coach Sarri was reportedly on the verge of being sacked before the game at Wembley, with the Blues having been thrashed 6-0 by City in the league during a dismal run of results.

They lost on penalties in the final but drew 0-0 in a game which went to extra time, with Chelsea performing immeasurably better than they had during their drubbing by the champions.

And Sarri believes the confidence restored by that display is more significant than any tactical change he has made.

Asked if a tactical change had caused the upturn, Sarri said: “No, tactically we changed only the line of pressing sometimes. I think we are trying to play in the same way.

“Probably (the change is) mentally. I think the final was really very important for us because we lost 6-0 in Manchester two weeks before and then in the final we were able to play at the same level as them.

“So I think that was really very important for our minds, for our confidence.”

Sarri will rest players for Thursday’s Europa League game against Dynamo Kiev but says he is unsure whether Callum Hudson-Odoi will play.

Sarri has angered many Chelsea fans by not giving more opportunities to Hudson-Odoi, who will be hoping to get another chance to impress.

“Callum is always in my mind in every match. I don’t know if tomorrow he will be on the pitch or not,” Sarri said at a media conference on Wednesday.

“I think you (the media) have to put less pressure on a young English player, because they need to improve.

“I have never seen a player of 18 at the top, so Callum – and all the other young players in England – needs to improve.

“At this moment it is very important for him to improve and then he will be able to be at the top when he is 22 or 23.

“I think that you put too much pressure on the young English players.”