How do you think Maurizio Sarri is doing at Chelsea?

In a turbulent off-season for Chelsea, which saw Antonio Conte finally depart and replaced by Maurizio Sarri.

When the World Cup ended, Conte was still in charge at Stamford Bridge but did the club leave it too late to make the change? Sarri was not given much time to change the format and tactics of the club. The change from Conte’s three at the back will take a lot of training and a complete different mind-set from the players. 

This was exemplified and highlighted in the defeat to Manchester City in the Community Shield. A defensive mistake from Antonio Rudiger set up Sergio Aguero for his opener and a clear sign that there is still work to be done on defensive structure. However, these defensive mistakes now look to be erased from the team.

Sports betting companies have massively shortened the price on Chelsea winning the league as the season has been going on, with the Blues just third favourites now. Behind only Manchester City and Liverpool.

The signing of Jorginho from Napoli was the bright spark that the fans were looking for and added to a position that the Blues desperately needed to fill. Danny Drinkwater and Ross Barkley have been unable to produce the goods when it really matters while the form of Cesc Fabregas and Tiémoué Bakayoko has flattered to deceive, with the latter leaving on a season long loan to AC Milan on deadline day.

Jorginhois at the perfect point in his career to come and try his luck in the Premier League. He has obvious talent and ability which would be well suited to Sarri’s style of play- evidently the reason why he brought him with him from Napoli- and although the transfer fee is a substantial amount, it has been a shrewd investment with a lot of the Blues offensive passes going through him.

The Italian international is classed as a defensive midfielder but his range of passing is excellent coupled with good anticipation. He reads the game well from the deeper midfield position and is quick to break up opposition play to then move the ball forward to put his team back on the front foot.  Chelsea did extremely well to tie up the deal right underneath the noses of Manchester City.

Sarri will surely be looking to further stamp his authority on his team. Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace has been a signing that has been constantly been linked. However, a substantial transfer fee would be needed to prize Palace’s star asset away from the club. 

Palace are asking for a price in the region of £70 million, while the Blues are only keen on £30 million plus players on loan. Zaha did however sign a new contract following the end of the summer transfer window. Chelsea could possibly twist Palace’s arm in the January window by offering Ruben Loftus Cheek in any potential deal.

The depature of Thibaut Courtois doesn’t seem like it has affected the club in a detrimental way, the stopper was quickly replaced by Kepa Arrizabalaga for a world record fee for a goalkeeper and he has quickly looked assured in the Premier League.

It’s pretty clear that Chelsea MUST do everything to keep hold of Hazard. If he is sold then it would send a clear message that we should no longer consider ourselves a team that wants to challenge for the title, but to settle for top four. The star quality of Hazard is undoubted and something that not even the arrival of Zaha would be able to combat. 

He is vital towards what Chelsea are trying to achieve and that has been further exemplified so far this season with the Belgium international undoubtedly the player of the season so far.