Sarri on Cahill’s comments, injury blow, fans booing and his regret over Kante

A rundown of what Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri had to say after the 3-0 win against Watford at Stamford Bridge.

On Chelsea’s display

“I think in the first half we were in trouble because we were tired – physically and mentally.

“Then in the second half they (Watford) lowered their intensity and so we went in control of the match.

“We were lucky of course because we scored after two minutes and after the first goal we probably improved mentally.

“We were able to play well for 30-35 minutes but in the first half we were in trouble. We were tired – I think more mentally than physically.

“It’s not easy to play after 60 hours. In the past, after a match away in the Europa League, we won only one match. So it’s not easy, not only for us but for every team.”

On what he thought about fans booing

“I don’t know. But in the first half we were not able to play simply. We were driving the ball and not able to think in a simple way.

“When you are not brilliant physically, you have to move the ball with one or two touches – the ball is not tired, the man is tired.

“Then in the second half we did it better, probably because something changes in our minds after the first goal.”

On N’Golo Kante’s injury

“The problem is his hamstring. I think I made a mistake, because today he probably had to rest.

“It is difficult to put an important player like Kante or Hazard on the bench, but you have to do it. I have to say I made a mistake.”

On how long Kante will be out for

“I don’t know. We must wait until tomorrow but I think it’s difficult to recover him for the next two matches.

“We want to play in the (Europa League) final so we will try to recover him for that in case (Chelsea reach the final).”

On Gary Cahill’s comments about being left out

“I don’t know the situation, I’m sorry. It’s not important for me.

“Cahill, during the season, was really very professional. He played only five, six or seven matches, but he was really very important in the training ground, in the dressing room.

“Today was the last match for Chelsea, so it was important for him to be on the pitch, only for a few minutes but I still think it was really very important for the fans and for him.

“Here, Gary won everything. And so I think he had to say goodbye to the stadium, to the fans, to the club.”

On Chelsea’s aims

“We want to be, at the end of the Premier League, in the top four, because we want to play in the next Champions League.

“And we consider in a different way the Europa League to be a very important competition.

“We want to win the Europa League because we think we deserve to win a trophy this season. So we have two targets.”