Sarri on his substitutions, Jorginho, changing system – and negative Wolves tactics

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Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri spoke about a number of issues at a media conference after the draw against Wolves. Here’s some of what the Italian had to say.

On the match

“We made a lot of mistakes but we deserved to win. We were unlucky because we conceded a goal in the first situation inside our box – the first and the last in all the 90 minutes.

“We were unlucky on that, but on the other hand we need to improve in attack against teams who defend in the last 20 metres with 11 players.

“We needed to move faster and needed more movement without the ball.

“Today we played with five touches and if there is no space it is very difficult to score if you play with five or six touches.

“We need to improve in this kind of situation. We can’t keep taking five or six touches. We need to improve in this kind of situation.

“Hazard is a great player, he can solve this situation, but during the match was like the other players. He needs more movement without the ball.”

On whether it was a missed opportunity

“When you have to play only 10 matches, every match you are unable to win is a missed opportunity of course.

“Today was a great opportunity to gain three points. We were not able to, but in the last six matches we won four and drew the other two, so there is a little bit of consistency in this moment.

“We have to think only of the next match. We have to recover two points immediately.”

On whether he is confident Chelsea will make the top four

“Yes of course. We are in a moment of consistency. We have only to continue.

“We are confident of course. We have one match (in hand) on the others (vying for the top four). So we have to be confident.”

On his substitutions

“We started (the substitutions) Loftus-Cheek because in my opinion we needed more of a physical impact in the opposition box.

“Then Odoi because it was impossible to change our match in that moment so it was really very important to have a player very able one-against-one.

“Then, for the first time this season, we changed the system and we played the last 20 minutes with 4-2-3-1.

“It wasn’t easy because the problem wasn’t the system but our way of playing – we need to move the ball faster.”

On why he changed the system

“Because for the first time we were playing against a team who didn’t want to play. They didn’t counter-attack in the last 20 minutes, so we had to try.”

On more criticism of Jorginho

“Jorginho, if the other players do not move without the ball, is in trouble, because he is really very able to play with one touch.

“Of course if you want to play with one touch you need movements with the other players.

“Then in the last 20 minutes, Jorginho is not suitable for 4-2-3-1, so it (taking him off) was only a consequence of the change of system, not the performance.

“I know him very well. He can go in trouble if all the rest of the team is not moving.”

On fans jeering Jorginho

“He is a very strong character and he is a professional player, so he has to play in every condition.”