Chelsea’s yo-yo form a real puzzle to Sarri
MAURIZIO SARRI still does not know how much his own Chelsea players ‘want it’ after looking at their yo-yo form under previous managers Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte.
And he believes Liverpool’s desire to win the Premier League gives them more determination than Manchester City.
The Chelsea manager has cannily ruled his own team out of the title race, claiming that they are “not ready” to compete with today’s opponents Liverpool or City.
But he was willing to run his eye over the two leading contenders to produce a surprisingly honest verdict.
“City are a very, very, very good team,” he said. “Maybe they are the best at the moment.
“But I believe Liverpool want to win more. So the determination of Liverpool could be higher. Maybe, I don’t know. It’s only my opinion...”
Sarri is less certain when he looks around his own dressing room.
The vast core have been at Stamford Bridge for a number of seasons when the club’s fortunes have lurched.
The 2014-15 champions under Mourinho finished 10th the following season and, having regained the title under Conte, followed it with a fifth-place finish 30 points off the pace.
Sarri reluctantly concedes that has to be some sort of mental problem.
“They’re usually training very well with continuity so the attitude is good,” he said.
“There is probably something from the mental point of view. I have to understand it. We want to win but the history of this club is a little bit strange – 2014-15 I think 87 points, 2015-16 50 points. That’s very strange, with the same coach and the same group.
“Then 93 points and 70 points last season, again with the same coach and group.
“These numbers tell us something. I don’t know what at the moment. But I want to understand and I want to help my players be at the same level.
“Maybe if you are lucky or unlucky you can gain 85 points or 80, but the difference in one season is 43 points. I have to understand why. Then, if I am able to, I have to help my players be at the same level for a long period.
“But I cannot tell you my theories. First of all I want to tell my players.”
Those more successful campaigns are what convinces Sarri that there is nothing drastically wrong with his squad – all he needs is time to add his own imprint. He puts the Chelsea project about 12 months behind Jurgen Klopp’s. “What will close the gap? I do not believe the market is the only solution,” he said. “We need the team only to work. We can improve by working every day. So it’s only a question of time. Time and work. “Maybe the market, sometimes, is the solution. But if you need only one player in one position you can improve the quality, not only with the market.” One particular area of focus is Eden Hazard, matchwinner in the Carabao Cup at Anfield on Tuesday but still going along at about three-quarters of his potential, according to Sarri. “I believe we have seen only 70-80-85 per cent of his potential,” he said. “If he is able to improve, he will be the best in the world. It’s very difficult to compare him with other players. “He is a genius, he’s unique.”