Chelsea add Javi Gracia to three-man shortlist to replace Maurizio Sarri

According to the Daily Record, Chelsea are considering an approach for Watford manager Javi Gracia, should they decide to part ways with Maurizio Sarri in the near future.

Maurizio Sarri left Napoli to join Chelsea in the summer and while the Blues’ season hasn’t gone according to the scripts, we remain in Champions League contention and on course for a Europa League semi-final.

The Italian tactician appeared to ease the pressure surrounding his future, thanks to a series of good results in both the Premier League and the Europa League. However, a 2-0 defeat against Liverpool at the Anfield on Sunday saw the south Londoners’ top-four suffer a blow and Sarri could be fired by our club if he fails to qualify for the Champions League, claims the Daily Record.

The Daily Record adds the Blues hierarchy have been hugely impressed by the work Javi Gracia has done at Watford since arriving last year. The Spanish tactician has made the Hornets play an attacking, exciting brand of football that is so pleasing to watch for the neutral.

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Gracia’s Watford are in contention for a seventh-place finish this season and are already in the FA Cup final, having beaten Wolves 3-2 at the Wembley earlier this month.

As a result, our club have included him in a list of candidates to replace Sarri. The others in the list are Wolves’ Nuno Espirito Santo and former skipper Frank Lampard, who is the Derby County’s manager, adds the report.

Chelsea should be patient with Maurizio Sarri

While Sarri’s first season at Stamford Bridge has been indifferent, our board needs to be patient and stick with the Italian until the end of the season. Sacking a manager in midst of the season doesn’t make sense and thus, the former Napoli boss should be backed in every way for the rest of the 2018/19 season, at least.