Sarri’s job secure in the short term
CHELSEA’S players are understood to be confused by the avalanche of tactical information they are given to carry out their manager’s ‘Sarriball’ philosophy.
Maurizio Sarri is facing a fight to convince the club’s hierarchy he has a long-term future at Stamford Bridge after Sunday’s humiliating 6-0 loss at Manchester City, their worst ever Premier League defeat.
The Italian feels his squad is not equipped to deliver the brand of football he wants to play.
Chelsea’s lead director Marina Granovskaia is believed to want to persist with Sarri — at least in the short-term. She orchestrated his appointment as Antonio Conte’s replacement last summer, with owner Roman Abramovich more distant after being refused a visa by the UK government.
Granovskaia will give the manager she appointed every opportunity to succeed, particularly with Abramovich leaving the bulk of the running of the club to her.
But amid a backlash from supporters, the club face a daunting run of fixtures, including the Carabao Cup final against Pep Guardiola’s City at Wembley later this month.
Following his appointment, one of Sarri’s key remits was to implement the attractive style of play he nurtured with great success in his impressive spell at Napoli.
Despite the club signing Jorginho and Gonzalo Higuain — who both worked with Sarri in Naples — the Italian has privately expressed worries that his squad are failing to grasp what he wants.
Indeed, Sportsmail has learned there is anxiety within the squad that Sarri’s instructions are too complicated. Some members of the team feel they are overloaded with tactical information ahead of matches, leaving many of them baffled as to what their manager is asking.
It is unlikely that Chelsea will give Sarri carte blanche in the transfer market this summer to make the signings he wants in order to see his style flourish.
Owner Abramovich has reined in spending in recent seasons, while history tells us that the club are unlikely to relinquish control of their transfer strategy.
However, there may be scope to replenish the squad ahead of next season with David Luiz’s contract expiring, and Willian and Pedro entering the final 12 months of their deals. Eden Hazard is also growing increasingly confident of securing a dream move to Real Madrid.
Whether Sarri will remain in situ long enough to try to influence Chelsea’s summer transfer business remains to be seen.
Given Chelsea’s history of sacking managers, that could provide Sarri with longer than normal to try to get his team’s season back on course. A reluctance to pay off another manager is another factor.
However, sources insist Abramovich remains regularly updated about the goings-on at Chelsea and will intervene if he feels necessary.
Indeed, it is understood the Russian billionaire is open to meeting Sarri after the manager pointed to a lack of dialogue with the Blues owner following Sunday’s defeat at the Etihad.
Whether Chelsea stay in contention for a return to the Champions League next season will be key to how much more time Sarri is afforded.
Chelsea are sixth in the table, one point off the top four, and face Malmo in the next round of the Europa League.