Sarri: 'Chelsea doing better than Arsenal'

By Football Italia staff

Maurizio Sarri insists Chelsea are doing better than Arsenal, are unfairly criticised and “I did take over a team that finished fifth.”

English papers seem to believe he is one defeat away from the sack at Stamford Bridge with the Carabao Cup Final against Manchester City coming up on Sunday. What does he think?

“I am not interested, to be honest. I have to think of my work as a big picture issue, otherwise I’d do my work badly. So I continue along my path and nothing has changed, as far as I am concerned,” Sarri told Sky Sport Italia.

“I keep hearing people praise Arsenal’s season, but they are not in the Cup Final, they have fewer points than us in the Premier League and reached the last 16 of the Europa League just like us. I don’t understand why people act as if our season is so negative and Arsenal’s is impressive.

“It’s true there have been many peaks and troughs, including some very deep troughs, but considering it’s my first season in a new league and environment, I think that’s acceptable. I did take over a team that finished fifth with 70 points.”

Sarri was asked about the rumours in the Italian media that he was in talks with Roma director Franco Baldini.

“The rumours are about dinner with Baldini, but last I heard he was in South Africa, so as I’m not going to South Africa for dinner, it’s safe to call that a load of rubbish.”

Sky Sport Italia also spoke to Chelsea player and former Roma full-back Emerson Palmieri after the 3-0 Europa League win over Malmo.

“It’s difficult, as the first year for any Coach at Chelsea is tough, I think only Antonio Conte won in his debut.

“Sarri ran into some difficulties, but we are behind him, he has proved he’s a great Coach and we just need to do what he asks to become a great team.”

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