We must tighten up for a title tilt
MAURIZIO SARRI has brushed aside fears his two centre-forwards are struggling for goals this season – because the Chelsea manager is more worried about his defence.
His £60million No1 striker Alvaro Morata has managed just three goals, although two of those have come in his last three games and back-up striker Olivier Giroud has not found the net at all.
It has left star man Eden Hazard carrying the scoring burden for Chelsea this term, with eight goals already, amid some stellar performances.
But if the Belgian, who was sidelined for Thursday night’s 3-1 Europa League win over BATE Borisov with a back problem, does not score, then Chelsea, though unbeaten this season, tend to struggle.
Their manager though, who saw Ruben Loftus-Cheek come to the rescue on Thursday with a hat-trick, is more bothered about what is going on at the other end of the field.
Chelsea have kept six clean sheets this season and only conceded seven goals in nine Premier League games – only Manchester City and Liverpool have let in fewer – but Sarri is still not satisfied.
As his team prepared to face Burnley at Turf Moor tomorrow, Sarri said: “Usually the team that wins the title is the team who concede the fewest goals.
“That is the way it is in Italy. So we have to improve the defensive phase.”
In Serie A, Juventus have won the title for the last four years and each time had the most miserly defence – the most conceded in any of those seasons being 27 in 38 games.
But it does not always follow in the Premier League. Last season Manchester City won the title with only 27 goals conceded. In 2017, Tottenham conceded fewest in the league with 26 but only ended up second and in 2016 it was Spurs and Manchester United the most miserly with 35 conceded, but they were only third and fifth. In fact, the Premier League side with the tightest defence has only lifted the trophy three times in the last nine years.
But Sarri said: “A month ago we were concerned about the fact that the midfielders were not scoring. Now in the last three matches, Ross Barkley has scored two goals and Loftus-Cheek three.
“If we are able to continue to play our football, in a month the strikers will be scoring.
“Everyone knows characteristics of Giroud. He does not usually score a lot of goals, but he is always very useful for the team. Giroud is not a problem. Morata in the last three matches has scored two goals. But they can do better.” Sam Vokes, meanwhile, is ready to make more memories with Burnley after signing a new threeyear deal.
The Wales international has won two promotions with the Clarets and helped the club to a first European place in 50 years since signing from Wolves in 2012.
Vokes, who scored his first Premier League goal and first Europa League goal with Burnley, was out of contract in the summer but is now tied to Turf Moor until 2021.
“It’s great to commit for the next three seasons here,” said Vokes. “It has been a huge part of my career. I joined here on loan first in 2011, so it has been seven brilliant seasons.
“There have been ups and down, mainly ups, and it’s been a great journey. It’s one we’re still on and I can’t wait for the rest.”