SARRI: BLUES HAVE MENTAL ISSUE

Sarri reveals the root of his team’s troubles as Alonso misses out

CHELSEA boss Maurizio Sarri admits his team have a ‘mental problem’ but insists he is comfortable with his relationship with owner Roman Abramovich.

Sarri revealed that he and his team held crisis talks on Monday morning after the 6-0 defeat at Manchester City.

Sarri is under fire after his side slumped to sixth in the Premier League following three consecutive away defeats in which they have conceded 12 goals and failed to score. Marcos Alonso, who was susbtituted in the second half against City, has been left at home despite being fit.

Arriving in Sweden yesterday evening ahead of the Europa League knockout tie against Malmo, Sarri was further under scrutiny as chairman Bruce Buck took a seat beside journalists in the press conference.

Sarri (right) moved to clarify comments he was reported to have made to Italian media after the City defeat, in which he was alleged to have said he ‘never’ hears from Abramovich.

‘I never said never. Not very often, but not never,’ said Sarri.

Asked if he has spoken to Abramovich this season, Sarri said: ‘Yes, of course. Not in this week. Not in the last three weeks. I’d like to speak to somebody at the club, not necessarily with the owner. I usually speak with Marina Granovskaia (director) and that is enough.’

Sarri revealed his team talked through the City defeat, saying: ‘We talked all together for one hour the day after the match. We arrived at the match with the right level of motivation. After the first goal, we were not able to react or do anything. So the problem is different. But it’s always a mind problem, a mental problem, so we need to solve them.’

Winger Pedro insists the team remain committed to ‘Sarri-ball’, saying: ‘All the team follow the idea of Maurizio. We can do this. But sometimes it’s so difficult to play in this way. It depends upon the opponents. City played very well, it was so difficult to press.’

Meanwhile, Malmo boss Uwe Rosler warned Sarri that Chelsea’s results are not up to scratch and the former City player said he was ‘delighted’ to see Pep Guardiola’s side demolish Chelsea.

Rosler, who scored 50 goals for Manchester City in the 1990s, is a cult hero at the club and the German said: ‘I was delighted by the City win. It’s no secret, my connection and feelings. Obviously Chelsea results lately have not been to their standard. When you are at that level with the squad they have at their disposal, criticism and unhappiness come to the surface.’ CHELSEA probable (4-3-3): Arrizabalaga; Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Christensen, Emerson; Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic; Willian, Higuain,

Hazard.