Sarri on injury news, Hudson-Odoi, approach against United – and how much time he needs at Chelsea
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri spoke about a number of issues at a news conference ahead of the game against Manchester United. Here’s what the Italian had to say.
On being fined by the FA
“The fine was because I was out of my technical box. It was true, so I have to pay. I went there in my opinion for a good reason, but I was out and so I have to pay.”
On a remark from the Burnley camp which upset him
“In my career I have made many mistakes, so I understand very well that sometimes under pressure you can say something that you don’t think. It was a strong discussion but in my opinion has to remain on the pitch.”
On facing United
“The match is clear; in this moment it is a very important match, probably more than important, for our target.
“We will try to win of course but we need not to lose. It’s a very difficult match for both.
“We have to play against opponents who will have a very high level of motivation after (losing) the Manchester derby. So it will be a very difficult match.
“But we have to try. We have two very important targets; the first is the top four and the second is to get to the final of the Europa League.
“For the first target, this match is important for us of course, and also for the opponents.”
On United’s fading top-four chances
“They have a chance. Of course they have to win all the last three matches, but the match will be really very difficult.
“It’s not easy to play in Manchester against United because they are a great team, but we need to gain points.”
On United’s poor results
“They did very well for three months. But I think for us that Sunday will be really a very difficult match because they lost the derby and so their level of motivation will be very high.”
On Antonio Rudiger and N’Golo Kante
“Rudiger is OK at the moment. We are trying to recover Kante but I am not sure at the moment.”
On Callum Hudson-Odoi’s injury
“The operation for Callum went in the right way. I think he will be back here (at the training ground) in one or two days.
“Of course he needs time now, but Callum is a very strong man physically and mentally so I am sure he will be able to return better than before.”
On when Hudson-Odoi might return
“It depends of course. For sure three months, then we have to see the condition because you can able to play but we need a player at the top. So it depends. The period is three months, no less.”
On Eden Hazard not being in the PFA team of the year
“I think that Eden deserved to be in the top 11 of the Premier League, but I think at the moment the table is clear; there is City, Liverpool and the other teams. And so I think the board was influenced by the table.”
On Chelsea’s poor defending
“I think that in the last two matches we had problems with the defensive phase, not with the defensive line.
“We conceded two goals from set pieces in the last match and involved in that were the whole team, not only the four defenders.
“Against Slavia we conceded two goals with a shot from 20-25 metres and so what is at fault is also the midfielders.
“I think we need to defend with more intensity first of all, with more aggression sometimes, and we need to improve in the defensive phase.”
On some of the top teams struggling
“(They are) All teams in the European competitions. After 55 or 56 matches, to play every three days, it is very difficult.
“It’s a problem and it’s not easy for an English team to solve this problem. It’s very difficult to get a final in this part of the season with the top physical condition.
“In England you have to play more. Probably a Spanish team or Italian team in this moment of the season have played 48, 49 or 50 matches. In England we have played 57 and that is a big difference.”
On whether Chelsea have underachieved
“It’s incredible because Manchester City last season gained 100 points and to gain 100 points in the Premier League is really very difficult.
“This season two teams, I think they will finish on about 97, 96, 95 points. It’s incredible and it’s very difficult to cover the gap.
“We started to try to improve. In this moment we are not able to improve in the right way.
“But I think we are improving because two or three months ago at the first difficulty in the match we were not able to react. Now my feeling is different.
“Now my feeling is that we are able to fight and react. But of course to cover the gap will be really very difficult for us and also the other teams.”
On how much time he needs
“We need to work, we need to improve. This one is the third season of Guardiola at City and the fifth of Klopp at Liverpool, so it’s a long way. In one or two seasons we have to cover the gap.”
On Chelsea’s poor away record against top sides
“It’s not easy to gain points against City, United, Liverpool, Tottenham, Arsenal away. But we need to take a step forward, because in the second half of the season we lost too many matches.
“So we need to improve. We need to face difficulties because for sure against these teams away you have to face difficulties. We need to be able to stay in the match.”
