Chelsea must stay calm to turn season around: Pedro
LONDON: Chelsea’s season hangs in the balance after Monday’s FA Cup exit but they must stay calm and recapture their best form in the next two games to turn things around, winger Pedro has said. The FA Cup holders were beaten 2-0 by Manchester United in the fifth round, piling the pressure on under-fire manager Maurizio Sarri. With a Europa League clash against Malmo and the League Cup final against Manchester City up next, there is no time to dwell on the disappointment, the Spaniard said.
“The most important thing now is to stay calm, train really hard and recover our best football and our best feeling, because if not we are in trouble,” Pedro said. “There is an important game in the Europa League for us and, after, the final against City.”
Chelsea lead Malmo 2-1 from the first leg of their Europa last 32 tie and host the Swedes on Thursday in the return.
GUENDOUZI SURPRISED BY INSTANT IMPACT
Matteo Guendouzi concedes few people would have heard of him before he arrived at Arsenal last year and that while he is surprised to have become a regular in the starting 11 so quickly he has already shown he brings something different to the team.
The 19-year-old was signed in July from Ligue 2 side Lorient and has quickly become a favourite of Unai Emery, making 33 appearances in all competitions.
“I’m a bit surprised that everything has been going so well,” Guendouzi told the Evening Standard. “I had a chance during the pre-season tour and I took it, I showed I could be part of this team. Let’s be honest, apart from the players here who follow a bit of the French leagues, no one had ever heard of me.”
No other teenager has played more minutes in the Premier League this season and Guendouzi credits Emery for having faith in him so early.