Gonzalo buys time but boss is still walking his own plank

AN emphatic win for Chelsea and first goals for Gonzalo Higuain yesterday will temporarily settle down the noise at Stamford Bridge but longer-term, Maurizio Sarri (left) is not out of the woods yet.

First, the positive news. Chelsea are still realistic contenders for three trophies and if they win a couple out of the Europa League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup, I don’t think you could argue against it being a successful time for the Italian in his first season here.

If the gamble to criticise his players was politically motivated to bring in a striker he knows and likes — Higuain — it has worked in the short-term. The Argentine is a class act and there were some signs against Huddersfield yesterday that he and Eden Hazard might build a good relationship on the park.

And yet there is plenty of doubt Sarri will still be at Stamford Bridge next season to build the project properly. You only have to look at Chelsea’s past history on managers who fail to finish in the top four.

I’m alarmed by the way Sarri has spoken more than once about struggling to motivate the players. That is unusual and very high risk. In a sense, you are putting the plank out for yourself. If results don’t improve, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will ask why his manager can’t motivate the players.

Sarri needs to win at least one trophy and qualify for the Champions League if he wants to take pre-season training again in July.