Chelsea may have amassed over 100 goals, but in the league they have scored 57, fewer than Tottenham and that lot, and 29 of their overall total have been harvested in the painfully weak Europa League. I agree that Sarri is a clever manager, rather like him and enjoyed watching his Napoli, but his style of football requires more than just technically talented players. It requires phenomenal energy levels, heart, and a willingness to press as a collective, and those are the things I think it is difficult to instil in players who are already used to being at the top. By the end of Guardiola’s first season, we could see his imprint on the team, and while we had problems in certain positions, the system was taking shape and players had adapted and trusted the system and each other. By contrast, Chelsea only seem to play Sarriball in fleeting periods of games, and in games against better teams often only when already behind.
Guardiola inherited a team that was ageing but one built on attack. In terms of football, Sarri is the complete antithesis of Mourinho and Conte, yet he inherited a squad assembled to play the more cautious style(s) of the latter. Now, with a transfer ban and the likely loss of their best player, I struggle to see how they will be any closer to playing Sarriball next season than this. Of course, he may become more pragmatic and adapt his style to the rigours of England, but if we’ve learned anything from Guardiola, it is that sacrificing your principles is not even countenanced. You do that and you may as well admit you have failed.
I tend not to read/ watch the media on other teams, only us, and only watch other games (sound off) to form my opinion, so I can assure you I’m not believing anyone’s agenda.
