The struggles of Maurizio Sarri in Chelsea explained by the Italian football expert Adam Digby | Football News

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According to Adam Digby, Maurizio Sarri's time in Chelsea echoes his first 18 months in Napoli

Maurizio Sarri struggled during his first season at Chelsea and alienated fans with his refusal to adapt his system.

Chelsea was undefeated in his first 12 games of the Premier League season and looked like potential contenders for the title: "Sarriball" was effective.

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However, a 3-1 loss to Tottenham ended the race and was followed by five defeats in 13 league games. Chelsea was eliminated from the top four and Sarri was criticized.

Chelsea fans expressed their dissatisfaction with Sarriball from Stamford Bridge on Monday night as they watched Manchester United pull out its England Cup team in a 2-0 defeat.

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Sarri says he's worried about Chelsea's form after losing to Man United

Chelsea's hierarchy has discussed Sarri's future, according to Sky sources, but should they give him more time? Italian football expert Adam Digby give his verdict …

What is Sarriball?

It is an Italian version of the football "tiki-taka" that we badociate with Pep Guardiola. He shares many of the principles of ball possession, top pressing and up-tempo style.

Why did not it work in England?

It's only been there for six months. This season has incredible echoes for his first season in Naples. They started well and just after Christmas, things started to fade. His players began to falter as they got used to his requirements.

It all comes down to a matter of time and the bottom line for Sarri is that he is 60 and he is what he is. He was the same before Naples and he will be the same as long as he will continue to coach.

It took him 18 months for his team to reach the level where his Napoli team was one of the best teams played by Manchester City by Pep Guardiola.

Does Sarri have a plan B?

No, he does not do it. Just like Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp or Arrigo Sacchi before them. These managers have their own philosophy and their own approach – that's what they are and they do not compromise on it.

How do you solve a problem like Jorginho?

I think that a lot of Jorginho's difficulties are due to the fact that the rest of the team is used to what he's doing. It may sound like an excuse, but until everyone gets away, Jorginho will not be half the player he was in Napoli.

It's the same as removing Xavi from the great team in Barcelona and putting it on another team – you need everyone else to know what it means and where it should be.

Until the rest of the team adapts, Jorginho will be the one who struggles and because he is the man of Sarri, he will be the scapegoat of the failures of the system as a whole.

Is Kante out of position?

In the Sarri system, Jorginho is the center. The most defensive player, box-to-box by his side, who would have been Allan in Napoli, is Kante to Chelsea – who is a much better player.

This is the role he is asked to play and, in the spirit of Sarri and his system, Kante is not in a bad position. That's what it should be and that's one of the fundamental points of this system.

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