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BY NAIRA CHRONICLES
When Chelsea FC announced the former Napoli Coach, Mauricio Sarri to replace Antonio Conte, many wondered why the Bosses at the Bridge would prefer to replace a coach who had won the premiership in his first season in charge and an FA Cup Trophy in the second season with a coach who has never won any trophies. Beginning from the Abrahamovic era, Chelsea has always indicated that it has a "winning" philosophy. Hence, there has been a high turn over of coaches in the London club.
After taking charge, the Italian gaffer steered the team through 10 matches in a remarkable unbeaten run. Sooner than later, analysts started noticing some flaws in the Sarri brand popularly referred to as Sarri Ball. The current Chelsea team under Sarri plays possession football. The problem with Sarri Ball, however, is that it is not played with enterprise or purpose. The players spend so much time passing the ball around their own area without meaningful progress. Why pass the ball 15 or 20 times and return it back to the Keppa in goal or the Rudiger or Luiz? Sarri Ball appears to be all about keeping the ball.
Earlier on in the season, Chelsea's Jurginho received so much praise for the number of passes he has delivered. It is now noticeable that Jurginho, whom Sarri prefers to Fabregas, hardly makes any defence-splitting pass. All he tends to do is pass the ball sideways or backwards. One, therefore, wonders why Fabregas, who is more adventurous is getting less game time. The games against Wolves and Leicester City has exposed the weakness in Jurginho's game, something Mauricio needs to address urgently.
Despite calls to play Ngolo Kante, who is the arguably the best defensive midfieder in the world in front of the back four, Mauricio plays the French man in the right side of the midfield where is less effective. His excuse is that Kante is not as technically gifted as Jurginho or Fabregas. This approach by Mauricio further exposes Chelsea's back four to pressures as Jurginho is not able to provide the defensive edge that Kante gives the team.
Sarri Ball has also affected Chelsea's wing play on the right side of the pitch which used to be a strong point under Conte. Azpilecueta hardly makes meaninful runs down the right flank. The crosses from the right side are no longer present in Chelsea's play. Alonso is also slow in running forward as well as in recovery. One wonders why Sarri has refused to give opportunities to Emerson and Zappacosta given his rejection of Moses.
It is also obvious that Willian is not having a good season, yet Wilson-Odoi remains kept in the background. Again, Sarri appears to be without a Plan B. He had makes any dramatic change to a game. His subsitutions are always like for like. Take out a midfielder, bring in another midlfielder. Take out a defender bring in another defender etc. Playing Hazard as a false nine has also proven not to be a good strategy yet Sarri sticks to the same tactics.
Sarri needs to try other options like a 5-3-2 to win games. He cannot entirely rely on the 4-3-3 to win all games. He also needs to listen to others and play Kante in the right position otherwise, Sarry Ball may turn out to be Sorry Ball after all.
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| MAURICIO SARRI Photo Credit: (c) Thisanfield.com |
After taking charge, the Italian gaffer steered the team through 10 matches in a remarkable unbeaten run. Sooner than later, analysts started noticing some flaws in the Sarri brand popularly referred to as Sarri Ball. The current Chelsea team under Sarri plays possession football. The problem with Sarri Ball, however, is that it is not played with enterprise or purpose. The players spend so much time passing the ball around their own area without meaningful progress. Why pass the ball 15 or 20 times and return it back to the Keppa in goal or the Rudiger or Luiz? Sarri Ball appears to be all about keeping the ball.
Earlier on in the season, Chelsea's Jurginho received so much praise for the number of passes he has delivered. It is now noticeable that Jurginho, whom Sarri prefers to Fabregas, hardly makes any defence-splitting pass. All he tends to do is pass the ball sideways or backwards. One, therefore, wonders why Fabregas, who is more adventurous is getting less game time. The games against Wolves and Leicester City has exposed the weakness in Jurginho's game, something Mauricio needs to address urgently.
Despite calls to play Ngolo Kante, who is the arguably the best defensive midfieder in the world in front of the back four, Mauricio plays the French man in the right side of the midfield where is less effective. His excuse is that Kante is not as technically gifted as Jurginho or Fabregas. This approach by Mauricio further exposes Chelsea's back four to pressures as Jurginho is not able to provide the defensive edge that Kante gives the team.
Sarri Ball has also affected Chelsea's wing play on the right side of the pitch which used to be a strong point under Conte. Azpilecueta hardly makes meaninful runs down the right flank. The crosses from the right side are no longer present in Chelsea's play. Alonso is also slow in running forward as well as in recovery. One wonders why Sarri has refused to give opportunities to Emerson and Zappacosta given his rejection of Moses.
It is also obvious that Willian is not having a good season, yet Wilson-Odoi remains kept in the background. Again, Sarri appears to be without a Plan B. He had makes any dramatic change to a game. His subsitutions are always like for like. Take out a midfielder, bring in another midlfielder. Take out a defender bring in another defender etc. Playing Hazard as a false nine has also proven not to be a good strategy yet Sarri sticks to the same tactics.
Sarri needs to try other options like a 5-3-2 to win games. He cannot entirely rely on the 4-3-3 to win all games. He also needs to listen to others and play Kante in the right position otherwise, Sarry Ball may turn out to be Sorry Ball after all.
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