Sarri on Hazard’s future, injury news, Marcos Rojo challenge, De Gea’s form and Higuain’s missed chance
A rundown of what Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri had to say after the 1-1 draw at Manchester United.
On whether he is happy with a draw
“If I look at the first 20 minutes I am really very happy. If I look at the last minute, when we had a goal opportunity (for Gonzalo Higuain) – the most important goal opportunity of the second half – I am not happy.
“But to play here in Manchester against United is very difficult for us and every team. They played very well in the first 20-25 minutes and we were in trouble.
“We were in trouble in my opinion because we did not have the right distances between the striker Higuain and the midfielders, so we were in trouble to cover the ball to the defenders.
“The ball was always a free ball and they are really very dangerous when they can attack space behind the line.
“We were better in the last part of the first half and did very well in the second half.”
On Chelsea’s top-four chances
“The draw is not so much important for us, because with the 1-1 here we have to win the last two matches otherwise we are at risk with the goal difference.”
On Marcos Rojo’s challenge on Willian
“Willian was not happy. It was an orange card – between the yellow and red card. We have to accept everything from the referee of course. But in my opinion the yellow card was not enough.”
On a challenge by Nemanja Matic on Cesar Azpilicueta
“I don’t think it was intentional from what I could see. I think he caught him but I don’t think it was intentional.”
On United keeper David De Gea’s poor form
“It can happen. He is a great goalkeeper. He is unlucky in the last period. But mistakes of goalkeepers can happen. But De Gea is a very good goalkeeper, I have no doubt about it.
“Sometimes you have a striker who is not able to score for two months and sometimes you have a goalkeeper in difficulty. This is the job of the goalkeeper – it’s impossible to stay at the top for the whole year with consistency.”
On Eden Hazard’s future
“I don’t know. You have to ask the club. The problem is the new contract. Next season will be the last year of his contract.
“In this moment for me, it’s not really so important. I am really happy with Eden. He is playing very well. He fights on the pitch, so I am really very happy.
“As I’ve said in every press conference, I want to respect his decision.”
On injuries to Rudiger and Willian
“I think the most serious situation is Antonio Rudiger – his knee.
“Willian at the moment is in trouble but I think it’s only a knock, so we can try to recover him.
“But for the next match in the Europa League probably Antonio will be out.”
