Sarri on concerns about Higuain, Chelsea’s ‘mental block’ and why they can still make the top four
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri spoke about a number of issues at a media conference after the defeat against Everton. Here’s what the Italian had to say.
On Chelsea’s defeat
“The situation is clear; we played probably the best 45 minutes of the season and then suddenly at the beginning of the second half we stopped playing. I don’t know why.
“It’s impossible that the problem is a physical problem, because if you have a physical problem you can go down gradually – not in one second. Suddenly we did very badly from the first minute of the second half.
“It’s very difficult for the players to explain to me the change and very difficult for me to explain to you the change. Probably it’s a mental block, I think.
“At the moment, this is our limit I think. If we are able to play with consistency then I think we are in another position in the table.
“But we have this problem – a big limit for us – because we lost a similar match against Wolverhampton and again lost a match this way. So for us it’s a big limit.”
On the goals conceded
“You have to stay in the match if you are not able to score. In the first half we had I think six or seven goal opportunities.
“We were not able to score and we had only to stay in the match, to defend very well, and sooner or later, if you are able to create opportunities, you score.
“But first of all we needed to stay in the match.”
On whether he is concerned about Gonzalo Higuain
“At this moment, yes of course. I think today he had an opportunity, but too few (chances came his way) for him I think.
“He can do more. He is improving, then this week he had a problem in the beginning of the week with a fever.
“So today it was normal that he was only play for 60-65 minutes minutes.
“But he needs to improve – improve his physical and mental condition.”
On suggestions Chelsea are likely to miss out on the top four
“If you are speaking about the second half, you are right. If you are speaking about the first half, we can do everything.
“If we are able to play eight matches for 90 minutes like in the first half then I think we can do everything.
“I am worried about our mentality but today we played the best 45 minutes of the season – without conceding a shot to the opponents.
“Of course if we play like we did in the second half for the next eight matches then we are in trouble – it’s impossible to arrive in the top four.
“Today was really very important for us, so now we have less opportunities. But I think we have to fight.
“It’s not impossible. Why impossible? We need to recover only three points. It’s not impossible in eight matches.
“It’s impossible if we are not able to improve – if we are not able to avoid a second half like today
“We need only to play like we did in the first half for the next eight matches – without stopping playing, without stopping defending. This is the limit.”
