N’GOLO KANTE SWAP ROLES
Sarri: I decide
DEFIANT Maurizio Sarri insists he will not back down over his decision to play N’golo Kante away from the position that made him a superstar.
Kante, 27, has won titles with Leicester and Chelsea, plus the World Cup with France – all in consecutive seasons
– in a defensive midfield slot.
But Sarri has put Jorginho, the Brazil playmaker with whom he worked at Napoli, in the role and pushed Kante out to the right.
Former pros and pundits have poured scorn on the switch but Sarri appeared to be vindicated when Chelsea ended Manchester City’s unbeaten start to the season last weekend – blowing the title race wide open. Sarri, whose side travel to Brighton today, said: “If you buy Jorginho and have Cesc Fabregas then I think you have to play 4-3-3.
“If you play 4-3-3 in my style of football then the central midfielder is a very technical player. “Jorginho is very fast in the mind. He is able to play one touch or two touch. Fabregas also is technically very good.” Despite strong interest from Real Madrid and Paris SaintGermain, Kante signed a new five-year contract only last month. It was reward for the form that saw him voted PFA and Football Writers’ Player of the Year in 2017. And the new deal seems to have done the trick, with Kante being the surprise first scorer in the shock win over City. Sarri refused to suggest he had been vindicated, but said: “I think that Kante in my style of football has to play where I want him.
“I understand that somebody might think something different but if you look at my football, you have to say that I am right.”
Chelsea are facing a tough trip to a well-organised Brighton side that have claimed Manchester United among their victims so far this season.
But the Blues boss believes victory against the Seagulls is essential to continue the momentum restored by last weekend’s fantastic result.
He added: “For us it is a very important match.
“We need to confirm our motivation and determination like we showed in the last match. We need these qualities to continue because every match is three points.
“We need to improve a lot. I agree this match for us is really important. Maybe it is the most important in this season.”
Meanwhile Barcelona defender Jordi Alba has insisted he would be happy to see Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata at the Camp Nou.
Morata, 26, has struggled this season with just seven goals in 21 games in all competitions.
Alba, a Spain team-mate, said: “Morata is a player I appreciate a lot, he has been a top player for many years.
“It’s the club’s decision but if the rumours are true he would be very welcome.”
Brighton v Chelsea Today, 1.30pm