“I can try with another English club” – Maurizio Sarri on Chelsea future
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has insisted that he sees his long-term future in England, whether that is with his current employers or somewhere else.
Sarri has come under a lot of criticism from Chelsea fans during his first season at the club, despite securing a top-four finish and reaching a Europa League semi-final.
Sarri’s first year in England: Five things you need to know…
- Former Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri took over from fellow Italian Antonio Conte last summer.
- The Blues have secured a top-four Premier League finish guaranteeing Champions League football next season.
- However, Sarri has been heavily criticised for his style of football with ‘Sarri-ball’ not always as effective as hoped in west London.
- Chelsea reached the League Cup final and could still win the Europa League with their semi-final against Eintracht Frankfurt sitting at 1-1 ahead of the second leg.
- Sarri has recently been linked with a move back to Italy with AS Roma reportedly interested.
Speaking ahead of his side’s Europa League semi-final second leg against Eintracht Frankfurt, Sarri fielded further questions regarding his immediate future at Stamford Bridge.
The Italian insisted that he enjoys participating in English football and sees his talents staying in England.
Sarri said: “As I said in every press conference, I want to stay here.
“I like English football very much and the atmosphere. If I can, I want to stay, my target is to stay in English football.”
He then added, with a laugh: “I can try with another English club. I don’t know.”
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Can Chelsea win silverware?
At times, Sarri’s first year in England has been a stressful one for both the man himself and the Chelsea supporters who have seen some performances unworthy of a top-four place.
However, that is exactly what Sarri has achieved this season following Arsenal’s 1-1 draw at home to Brighton & Hove Albion which was enough to confirm Chelsea’s place in next season’s elite European competition.
They could still end the season with a trophy in the Europa League but must overcome a talented Eintracht Frankfurt team en-route to the final, something which Sarri believes will not be an easy task.
“I know we have to play a semi-final and, in a semi-final, you play a strong team with very strong players,” he said. “It’s difficult to be favourites.
“I know it will be a very difficult match. In their last match in the Bundesliga, they played probably [thinking about] the last match in the Europa League. But tomorrow, they can play at their best. It’s very difficult.
“They have two very good strikers, [Luka] Jovic and [Ante] Rebic, so we need to be careful.”
