Chelsea should not sack Maurizio Sarri – Opinion

Chelsea have had a disastrous start to 2019 in the Premier League with just 2 wins in 6 games since the turn of the year. The Blues have failed to score an away goal this year and have had a couple of humiliating away days in the past month. Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri is under pressure and the results have to quickly. Chelsea would be making a massive mistake if they let go of the Italian.

Maurizio Sarri took over the reign from compatriot Antonio Conte in the summer and started his Premier League career by going on a 12-game unbeaten streak. His first loss came at the hands of Tottenham at Wembley as they conceded 2 goals in the first 16 minutes of the game.

The game ended 3-1 with Olivier Giroud scoring a consolation goal late in the match. Chelsea’s home form has been great this campaign as they’ve lost just one game in 13, including wins against Arsenal and defending champions Manchester City.

Chelsea players have had to undergo a huge change in their style of play with Sarri’s football being very different from Conte’s. Sarri’s high-pressing game takes a lot out of players and is something that cannot be mastered overnight. The fundamental style of Sarri’s build-up play involves possession of the ball between the centre-backs and the defensive midfielder.

The defensive midfielder, in this case, Jorginho, started the season off brilliantly but has been found out in recent games, especially against Arsenal when he was man-marked by Aaron Ramsey. Jorginho’s poor form continued in the drubbings against Bournemouth and Manchester City where they lost 4-0 and 6-0 respectively.

Although Chelsea currently sit 5th in the table, they are just a point off 4th-placed Manchester United. The Blues are also one of the favourites to win the Europa League as they take on Malmo this week. Their domestic cup pursuits are also going on as Sarri’s men take on Manchester City again in the final of the EFL Cup. The Blues also face Manchester United in the FA Cup on Monday.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has the history of sacking managers but the Russian needs to give Sarri at least another season before making a call. Sarri, with a good transfer window in the summer, and with time to make the players play to his needs, will make Chelsea title contenders again. With the Blues still in the run for three trophies and Champions League qualification, sacking him would be a terrible decision by the club and will take them a few steps backwards.

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