Sarri: Losing to Spurs destroyed my players

MAURIZIO SARRI understands fully the bitter rivalry between Chelsea and Tottenham after seeing his players ‘destroyed’ by November’s 3-1 loss at Wembley. Ahead of tonight’s Carabao Cup semi-final between the sides, Sarri said the result, his first loss at Chelsea, was an eye-opener. ‘After the match in the Premier League I realised the real situation (between the clubs), so now this match is more important,’ he said. ‘I saw my players in the dressing room after the match. They were destroyed. I didn’t know exactly the situation but now I think I know, so I will be ready and I hope the same for my players.’ Both Sarri and Mauricio Pochettino are waiting to win the first trophies of their managerial careers. But Sarri said it takes time to adjust to life in England. ‘He (Pochettino) is a very good coach, one of the best at the moment. I agree he has to win a trophy, I hope not this one. I think it is the same for me. Of course Pochettino is in Tottenham from four years ago and I am here for six months. ‘I think the first season is really very difficult for everybody, for Pochettino, for Jurgen Klopp. Also for Pep Guardiola, so here it is really very difficult to build up a very good team. You need time.’ Meanwhile, Sarri is ready to give Callum Hudson-Odoi regular first-team football as Chelsea bid to keep him from Bayern Munich’s clutches. ‘He is ready (to play more) I think,’ said Sarri. ‘Sometimes he will be on the bench, the same as Willian and Pedro. I can start to consider him on the same level. ‘I don’t think he should go to Germany because he is an English player. He is very young. ‘I think that he has a very great future here in England with the national team and with Chelsea. To stay here is better for him.’ PÁDRAIG AMOND ON FA CUP MAGIC: PAGE 51