Sarri on Fabregas’ injury, Loftus-Cheek’s role, Gullit’s criticism and the three players who need to improve
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri spoke about a number of issues at his pre-match media conference ahead of his side’s match against Bournemouth. Here’s some of what the Italian had to say.
On Cesc Fabregas’ injury
“It is the same as last week. Cesc is still out. He is working in water and we are hoping that next week he will be able to work on the pitch.
“I am sure the injury is not serious, but he has pain out of the knee so it is a bit strange – but nothing serious.
“But the pain is still there so for him it is impossible to run on the pitch, only possible to run in water.”
On Ruben Loftus-Cheek
“I can say that I am very happy with him because in the last 10 days he has improved a lot, so I am really happy with him.
“I think he will be important for sure, starting from September when we will play every three days. So I think he will be very important and very useful for us.
“It’s not easy to play here, because here there are 25 very good players.
“So it is not easy to play in the starting 11, but I think he will improve more and be ready to play from the beginning.”
On why Loftus-Cheek has not been playing
“Because he has to improve, just in order to play my football. He has great qualities from a physical and technical point of view. I think he needs to improve from the tactical point of view. Nothing else.”
On Marcos Alonso
“He’s a very good player and can improve in the defensive phase.
“He has physical qualities at the top level, so I think he can do more in the defensive phase, but I’m not worried.
“He’s a very good player in the offensive and defensive phases, but I think he can do more.”
On Victor Moses
“Now we are trying to let him play like a winger. We changed the position and in the new position I think he needs to improve, but it’s only a question of time.”
On Bournemouth
“They are very dangerous opponents for us I think. They are well organised. They are dangerous in counter attacks.
“So I think the match will be very difficult and very dangerous for us but we want to be in control of the match. We want to try to gain points.”
On Cherries boss Eddie Howe
“Eddie came to Empoli four years ago for three or four days and we stayed together and in my last year with Napoli we went to Bournemouth for a friendly match and so I know him very well.
“I think he’s a very interesting young coach. I think he will make a mark in English football in the future.”
On Chelsea’s start to the season
“I’m very happy with nine points in three matches but I think the table now is not important.
“Now it’s important to work and to improve more. We have the potential to improve more.”
On Jorginho
“Jorginho is a very important player for us. He is used to playing my football. In the first period of the season he is very useful for me and also for his team-mates.”
On Ruud Gullit describing N’Golo Kante’s more attacking role as “strange”
“My opinion is that Kante is a great midfielder and I think that he is able to play in every position in my midfield. It’s not a problem for him. But I was surprised at the technical qualities of Kante.”
On why English players are struggling to get game time in the Premier League
“I answered this same question in Italy – why is it so difficult for Italian players to play in a bid club in Italy? I think it’s normal.
“It’s difficult to play here, (and, for example) at Juventus, because there are 27 or 28 great players.”
