Flop Morata on move
Maurizio Sarri. Morata has scored seven times for Chelsea this season in all competitions after netting
15 in his first season. But the £65m signing has struggled with the physicality of the English game and his confidence has taken a hit.
Sarri (right) has preferred to use the experienced Olivier Giroud in recent games.
The Chelsea boss, meanwhile, has described the abuse of Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling at the weekend as “disgusting”.
Sterling was allegedly racially abused during the
2-0 win over Manchester City at Stamford Bridge. Four fans have been banned as police probe the incident.
Sarri said: “It was disgusting.You know very well my opinion, the opinion of the club.
“I condemn any form of discrimination, of course.
“I think I have to stop here. There is an investigation so I think it’s better not to say more. I condemn every sort of discrimination.”
Blues midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek backed the City star’s decision to question whether his media treatment contributed to the negative way in which he is viewed by rival fans.
Loftus-Cheek said: “I think he was right. It shouldn’t be in the game or anywhere, so I think it was the right thing for him to do, to speak out. I think if it happened to me, then, I would do the same thing. “It is something that players have talked about, especially me, growing up as a black player and having black players around me in the youth team. It does go on and it needs to be out of the game as quick as possible.” Meanwhile, Sarri has picked a weakened squad for tonight’s game against Vidi having already won the group. Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, Cesar Azpilicueta, N’Golo Kante, Eden Hazard and Antonio Rudiger have all been left at home.
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VIDI (4-5-1): Kovacsik; Fiola, Juhasz, Vinicius, Stopira; Nego, Hadzic, Patkai, Hustzi, Milanov; Scepovic.
CHELSEA 4-3-3: Caballero; Emerson, Christiansen, Ampadu, Zappacosta; Fabregas, Barkley, Loftus-Cheek; Hudson-Odoi, Morata, Willian.
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