Sarri on Chelsea duo’s injuries, Hazard’s future, Morata and whether Blues need a striker
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri spoke about a number of issues at a media conference ahead of the game against Crystal Palace. Here’s what the Italian had to say.
On the latest injury news
“We have two problems. The first is the most serious I think, with Pedro.
“Pedro have an injury in his hamstring and he will have to rest I think for 10 days.
“The second problem is Odoi. It is not a serious problem but I don’t know if he will be able to play in the next match.”
On the title race
“There are two teams a step ahead of the others; Liverpool and Manchester City. Now there is a little gap. I think City will be able to cover the gap and I think the title is between City and Liverpool.”
On whether he had to persuade Eden Hazard to play as a ‘false nine’ at Watford
“No. He is able to play as a winger and in the centre of the pitch. I am really very happy with him in this position because he is very able to score, first of all, and very able to open spaces for the team-mates.
“At the moment I am really very happy with him in this position but in the future he can play also as a winger of course.”
On believing Hazard could score more
“I was really confident because he is a great player – one of the most important at Chelsea. So I was really confident that he was able to score more.”
On whether Hazard saying he prefers not to play as a striker puts more pressure on Chelsea to sign one
“No. As I said before, I am really very happy with him in this role.
“I don’t know if he prefers to play as a winger or striker, but if he is able to play like the last match in the centre for me it’s not a problem to put him in the centre.
“I cannot see a problem with Hazard in this role. He played four matches as a ‘false number nine’ and scored three goals and two assists. So I am not able to see a problem.”
On whether Hazard will stay
“I don’t know, but I think it’s time to decide. I think we have to solve the problem. If we want to program the future we have to solve this problem.”
On whether he will discuss Hazard’s future with him
“No, because I have not the power to do this. I am the coach. I am not the president. I am not in charge of the (transfer) market.
“I want to speak to him only about the position on the pitch.”
On whether he now regards Hazard as Chelsea’s best option up front
“It depends on the moment. I think at this moment we need to be solid and with Hazard in this position I think we can become more solid.
“It’s a good option also for the defensive phase but I think it depends on the moment.
“Maybe in the future we will be able to play with Hazard and a striker in the future. It is not a problem.”
On Alvaro Morata
“As I said in the last press conference, Morata is now going very well. He is fit to play. It (leaving him out) was only a tactical choice.”
On Palace
“I think it is a very difficult match because in the last three matches at home they were able not to concede a goal. Then they are really very dangerous in the counter attacks.
“So I think that we have to play against a very dangerous team, especially away.”
On Kalidou Koulibaly, who played under him at Napoli, being the victim of alleged racial abuse from Inter fans
“You know that in Italy there are some problems in football, especially for Naples I think.
“When I was there we stopped two matches; one was Lazio v Roma and one was Sampdoria v Genoa.
“I am really very sorry for Kalidou, because he is a wonderful man. But I think in Italy we can do something more about this problem.”
