SARRI: NO TOP FOUR IS NO DISASTER

MAURIZIO SARRI last night claimed that Chelsea’s season would NOT be a failure, even if they failed to qualify for the Champions League.

The Blues go into tomorrow’s game against Manchester United miles off the top two, out of the FA Cup and beaten in the final of the League Cup.

But last night, the Stamford Bridge boss (above), when asked if the season would be a write-off if his side failed to make the top four, defiantly said: “No. We have been in a cup final that we lost on penalties. We are in the semi-final of the Europa League. We are still fighting for the top four.

“The season at the moment, is good. We have two targets – the top four in the Premier

League and the final of the

Europa League. If we are able to get to the final, then we will want to win that. “The season is good.”

The former Napoli boss, who has had a rough ride at times this term, said: “Of course, it has been a very difficult season. “We lost two or three matches in the wrong way, so the feeling is worse, because we lost without fighting. “But if you look at the season, we are doing well. It’s only the first step. We need to become competitive for the top. The first step, though, is good.” Chelsea (Eden Hazard, inset) go into tomorrow’s Old Trafford showdown on the back of dropped points and a poor defensive display against Burnley. And Sarri added: “It was the same for all the teams who played in European competition during the week. “After 57 matches, it’s very difficult to be brilliant. But when you are able to score two goals in a match after a European game, you have to win. We conceded two very stupid goals.”