Despite uncertain future Maurizio Sarri sets out Chelsea vision

Chelsea is fast becoming a club where no one is really sure of anything. This must have occupied the minds of many as the club’s ninth manager of the Roman Abramovich era was unveiled. Sarri was taking over after fellow Italian Antonio Conte was sacked despite two trophy-laden years at the club.

The new manager reassured Chelsea fans that he will do his utmost to keep hold of Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois. He also promised them a fun and attractive style of play.

Several young players from the club's prestigious academy are expected to use pre-season to stake their claim for a place in the squad.



Pre-season training had already started at Cobham before the Blues jetted off to Australia yesternight to play a match against A-League side Perth Glory on Monday.

The squad then have three International Champions Cup fixtures scheduled - against Inter Milan in Nice on July 28, Arsenal in Dublin on August 1 and Lyon at Stamford Bridge on August 7 - as they count down to the new season.




Setting out his philosophy, the former Napoli boss said :
“My goal is to have fun as long as I am here and be competitive in all competitions.  In life the biggest gift you may receive is to have fun while you do your job. I hope it manages to happen to me.

“Ours is not a sport, but a game, and anybody who plays a game starts doing that when they are young, because it is fun. The child in each of us must be nurtured because this often makes us the best.

“I want to clarify I feel I am more of a field manager, a pitch manager than a general manager. I am one of the few managers who is bored by the transfer market. I don’t want to talk about it, I am not that interested in it. Our task as managers is about growing the players we have.”