Standing by the side of the pitch, most Premier League managers carry a notebook to pen down their analysis throughout the game, Maurizio Sarri, on the other hand, does things slightly differently.

Chelsea's new Italian manager is known for having a huge smoking habit, and so far, his time in the Premier League looks as if it's taking its toll on his nicotine intake.

If you didn't catch last week's action, Chelsea's opening game of the season saw Sarri resort to chewing cigarettes on the touchline against opponents Huddersfield.

Well, guess what: he's been at it again this afternoon in the club's first home game of the 2018/19 campaign.

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Sarri holding a pack of fags on the bench :joy: #Chelsea #PremierLeague pic.twitter.com/685fQ2UBM5

- Ned Ozkasim (@nedoz9) August 18, 2018





English football grounds have a strict no-smoking policy, but despite the 59-year old being unable to smoke at Stamford Bridge, he instead held a packet of cigarettes.

I guess that's the nearest thing, right?

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He was also spotted chomping on some unlit cigs on the side of the pitch as he watched his team battle back against Arsenal to win 3-2.

Sarri, who led Napoli to two second-place finishes in three seasons at the Stadio San Paolo, averages around five packets of cigarettes a day, so you can see why it would be difficult to avoid tobacco for such a long period.

Yep, Chelsea manager Sarri keeps a pack of cigarettes on the bench pic.twitter.com/93bBhiCSsH

- Brody Logan (@BrodyLogan) August 18, 2018

As mentioned earlier, smoking was banned from all stadiums in July 2007, which means the 59-year-old wouldn't be able to spark up during the 90 minutes.

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In accordance with Smokefree England: "It is against the law to smoke anywhere inside the stadium at Stamford Bridge. This includes the use of e-cigarettes."

Sarri with a pack of cigs and fag in hand. pic.twitter.com/PsArl9l4Au

- mathew (@mdeeks76) August 18, 2018





But that didn't stop him from chewing a cigarette on the bench, as well as holding a pack to satisfy his cravings.

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Surely, it's only a matter of time before Chelsea install one of those areas that they have in airports that are basically a huge glass-fronted air conditioned box.

That would mean that Sarri can enjoy his beloved cigarettes, as well as not missing a moment of Chelsea's games.

It would also mean that he wouldn't have to miss prime coaching time at half-time sneaking away to the bogs to have a tab like everyone else who smokes at the football (obviously don't do this, LADs).

Problematically, even if they do sort it out at Stamford Bridge, that wouldn't apply at away grounds. Perhaps a tactic to get into his head would be to deny him his fags? Marginal gains are everything in professional sport, after all.

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I wouldn't put it past Jose Mourinho, anyway.

Better still, he could use this as a chance to kick the habit altogether and set a good example for the kids who come to watch Chelsea every week.

Credit: PA

Yeah, maybe not.