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The former Blues striker remains puzzled by a tactical adjustment regarding a World Cup winner, but thinks an Italian coach will prove his worth in time
Jimmy Floyd Hbadelbaink said Maurizio Sarri was exposed to criticism by refining the role of N'Golo Kante in Chelsea, but questioning the Italian in his first campaign remains "unfair".
The 2018-2019 campaign began in a sufficiently positive manner for the new man at the helm of Stamford Bridge, with a series of 18 games unbeaten in the wake of a loss to the Community Shield.
Sarriball has been hailed by a coach who has had his teeth cut in English football, reputed to have implemented a winning formula.
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The atmosphere has changed somewhat in West London in recent weeks.
Questions were asked about Sarri's methods, with his decision to transfer World Cup winner Kante from a midfield position still holding many curious.
Former Blues striker Hbadelbaink is part of this group, according to the Dutchman. Sky sports: "I think the criticism is a little unfair to him, he really started the season.
"He put Kante in a different position because he sees this position from a different angle and that's where [the criticism] start.
"Whatever you say, Kante is the best defensive midfielder to get the ball back, which raised the eyebrows.
"He believes in his own way. He believes that it is important to play football in a manner that dominates ball possession. That's how he thinks Chelsea will end up winning titles and cups.
"You have to give him time, it's only been six or seven months since he's in the building, so you have to give him time and give him confidence."
Hbadelbaink admits that the Chelsea team that followed a 4-0 defeat at Bournemouth with a 5-0 attack from Huddersfield must find a way to be less striking.
He added, "For the moment, they are really inconsistent and they need to get that consistency again from the winning games.
"They are going through a difficult time and no one would have thought that they would have lost against Bournemouth that way. It's a hard time for Chelsea when they play outside and still have that style of play.
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"They create opportunities but they do not score goals and hope that it can change now with [Gonzalo] Higuain. Can they now go to the next level? That is the question."
Chelsea is back in the top four in the Premier League and will play in the Carabao Cup final, a clash in the fifth round of the FA Cup with Manchester United and a confrontation between Europa League and the last 32 players with Malmo.
For now, their goal is to go to Etihad Stadium on Sunday, where they will try to undermine Manchester City's bid for consecutive title wins.
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