Chelsea favourites to get the win Sarri needs
Maurizio Sarri’s message ahead of the Europa League final couldn’t be clearer: back me or sack me.
Chelsea are favourites to win Wednesday’s all-London showdown with Arsenal – and ending the season with a trophy would boost Sarri’s chances of being kept on as Blues boss.
Since the final was confirmed the opening odds to win the Europa League final have remained constant since the matchup was first set.
Chelsea remains a 5/7 favourite, while Arsenal are 11/10 to lift the trophy. If you are looking not just for variety when it comes to Europa League odds, but also a reputable sportsbook that pays out instantly, look no further than this list here.
We expected Arsenal to be bet down as matchday approaches. However, after the team confirmed Armenian national Henrikh Mkhitaryan will be omitted from the line-up due to safety concerns in Baku, the odds are more likely to move slightly in Chelsea’s favour over the next week.
And while a Chelsea win might stand in Sarri’s favour, the Italian – who has led the club back to the Champions League via a third-placed finish – has clearly been irritated suggestions his future hinges on Wednesday’s game.
He said: “If the situation is like this, I want to go immediately because you cannot have 10 months of work and then I have to play everything in 90 minutes.
“It’s not right. You are happy with my work or you are not happy.”
And Sarri believes the Chelsea hierarchy should be happy with his work.
He will meet them after the final and plans to push for a quick decision on his future.
Juventus and Roma are reported to be ready to appoint him if he leaves Stamford Bridge.
“My future is Wednesday. I need to think only of the final at this moment,” he said.
“I have two years of my contract left, so I have had no contact with other clubs at the moment.
“I have to speak with my club first of all after the final. I want to know if they’re happy with me or not.
“I can only work. I can only try to improve my team. I can only try to win more matches. I don’t know what more to do.
“In my opinion we had a very good season. Of course we have to do more, we need to improve more.
“I am very happy to stay in the Premier League. Chelsea is one of the most important clubs in the Premier League, so I am really very happy.
“But we have to discuss the situation. It’s normal after every season to discuss with a club.”
