Chelsea strengthen grip, Sarri seeks new players
Even though Chelsea breezed past Newcastle 2-1 on Saturday boss Maurizio Sarri says he needs replacements in midfield if they are to keep up their push for the last automatic Champions League spot in the Premier League.
Fourth in the table, the Blues made the most of Arsenal’s slipup earlier in the day against West Ham to open up a sixpoint lead over the fifth-placed Gunners, whom they face next week at the Emirates.
Chelsea are, though, troubled by speculation about players leaving the club.
Willian, who netted Saturday’s winner, has been linked to a big-money move to Barcelona and midfielder Cesc Fabregas may also be on his way out of Stamford Bridge.
“You know very well that Willian for us is really a very important player,” Sarri said after the 30-year-old Brazilian tormented relegation-threatened Newcastle.
“We need wingers, so we need Pedro, we need [Callum Hudson-] Odoi, we need Willian of course.
“For us, in this moment, he is a fundamental player.”
Despite having plenty of players on their books, Sarri said Chelsea lacked depth in key positions such as central midfield.
“As you have seen, today Jorginho was in trouble and on the bench there wasn’t a player for that position, so I need a player, I need an option for Jorginho,” the Italian said.
“The club knows very well my opinion, I need the player there [but] it depends on the club decision.” Whatever chance Sarri has of convincing his club to splash out, Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez is not expecting much in the way of reinforcements in January’s transfer window.
“In these kinds of games against the top sides, sometimes one player can make the difference,” Benitez said after Newcastle slipped into the bottom three with 18 points, one behind Cardiff City, from 22 games.
“What I can see is that we have to stay calm – it’s a longdistance race, next week against Cardiff will be massive but still we have to win more games.”
With travelling Newcastle supporters once again expressing distaste for owner Mike Ashley, Benitez praised his team but would not be drawn into speculation about transfer targets for the club.
“Optimistic about the team? Yes.
“Optimistic about other things? I don’t talk about other things,” he said bluntly, acknowledging the challenge of avoiding relegation that lies ahead.
“We have to be better than three teams, and if we play like today, we’ll do it.” –