Sarri on Loftus-Cheek, Wolves, planning changes – and Chelsea’s ‘two big opportunities’
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri spoke about a number of issues at a media conference ahead of the game against Wolves. Here’s some of what the Italian had to say.
On facing Wolves
“I think we have two big opportunities – this match and then the match against Brighton.
“I think we are fighting for the top four and will be fighting until the last minute of the last match, so every match will be important for our future.”
On the 2-1 defeat at Wolves in December
“I want to watch the match again because it’s not a long time ago but in the meantime we have played, I think, 35 matches. All the staff will study these opponents.
“I remember very well that after the goal to make it 1-1 we stopped playing.
“We went into trouble because we completely stopped playing and started again only in the last 10 minutes.
“I need to study that match because we need to arrive at this match with the right level of preparation and the right mentality.
“If you stop playing you can lose against every team – and if you stop against Manchester City you can lose 6-0.”
On whether his players are tired
“We changed six or seven players (against Dynamo) and probably it will be the same in the next match.
“Of course at the moment it is very difficult to arrive in every match with the same level of determination and (be) mentally and physically at 100%.
“But I think for the next match we can be able to change six or seven players.
“Jorginho (against Dynamo) played only 50 minutes, Kante only 40 minutes and Barkley 60. I think these three players will be able to play the next match.
“In this moment it (tiredness) is a problem for every English team involved in European competition.”
On Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s back problem
“In the last two or three weeks, better. He’s been training with the team for a few weeks but he’s not in a condition to play 90 minutes.
“He wasn’t in the starting XI only for this reason. I think in two or three weeks he will be able to play for 90 minutes.
“At the moment he is not able to, but the back now is better and better.”
On Chelsea’s recent improvement
“For me the performance in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City was really very important because two weeks before that match we lost in Manchester 6-0.
“In two weeks the players were able to play at the same level of them (City), so it was really important for our confidence.
“In the end the Kepa situation was a good thing for our group.
“In five matches we have won four and drew against Manchester City. In the five matches we conceded only one goal.
“So now we are improving in consistency. We are improving in defensive solidity.
“But we have to be careful because in the past we had a long period of results and then suddenly two weeks of disaster.”
