Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri spoke about a number of issues at a media conference ahead of the game against Crystal Palace. Here’s what the Italian had to say.
“We have two problems. The first is the most serious I think, with Pedro.
“Pedro have an injury in his hamstring and he will have to rest I think for 10 days.
“The second problem is Odoi. It is not a serious problem but I don’t know if he will be able to play in the next match.”
“There are two teams a step ahead of the others; Liverpool and Manchester City. Now there is a little gap. I think City will be able to cover the gap and I think the title is between City and Liverpool.”
“No. He is able to play as a winger and in the centre of the pitch. I am really very happy with him in this position because he is very able to score, first of all, and very able to open spaces for the team-mates.
“At the moment I am really very happy with him in this position but in the future he can play also as a winger of course.”
“I was really confident because he is a great player – one of the most important at Chelsea. So I was really confident that he was able to score more.”
“No. As I said before, I am really very happy with him in this role.
“I don’t know if he prefers to play as a winger or striker, but if he is able to play like the last match in the centre for me it’s not a problem to put him in the centre.
“I cannot see a problem with Hazard in this role. He played four matches as a ‘false number nine’ and scored three goals and two assists. So I am not able to see a problem.”
“I don’t know, but I think it’s time to decide. I think we have to solve the problem. If we want to program the future we have to solve this problem.”
“No, because I have not the power to do this. I am the coach. I am not the president. I am not in charge of the (transfer) market.
“I want to speak to him only about the position on the pitch.”
“It depends on the moment. I think at this moment we need to be solid and with Hazard in this position I think we can become more solid.
“It’s a good option also for the defensive phase but I think it depends on the moment.
“Maybe in the future we will be able to play with Hazard and a striker in the future. It is not a problem.”
“As I said in the last press conference, Morata is now going very well. He is fit to play. It (leaving him out) was only a tactical choice.”
“I think it is a very difficult match because in the last three matches at home they were able not to concede a goal. Then they are really very dangerous in the counter attacks.
“So I think that we have to play against a very dangerous team, especially away.”
“You know that in Italy there are some problems in football, especially for Naples I think.
“When I was there we stopped two matches; one was Lazio v Roma and one was Sampdoria v Genoa.
“I am really very sorry for Kalidou, because he is a wonderful man. But I think in Italy we can do something more about this problem.”