Football
Liam Twomey, Chelsea correspondent 6y

Chelsea need 'one or two adjustments to play my football' - Maurizio Sarri

Maurizio Sarri believes Chelsea only need "one or two adjustments" to play his style of football this season and added that he is relishing the prospect of competing against Europe's best coaches in the Premier League.

Chelsea confirmed Sarri's appointment on Saturday after more than a month of difficult negotiations with Napoli, and swiftly followed that announcement by completing a reported £50 million deal to bring Italy international playmaker Jorginho to Stamford Bridge.

More new faces are expected to arrive before the Premier League season begins in August, but Sarri is confident that Chelsea's squad will not require an overhaul to adapt to his ideas.

"I think Chelsea are a good team," Sarri told Chelsea TV. "The problem is that in England, there are five or six very good teams.

"I think with one or two adjustments, we can try to play my football."

Sarri has limited training time to work with his Chelsea squad in preseason, while key players Eden Hazard, Thibaut Courtois and N'Golo Kante are not expected back at Cobham for some time after being granted extended breaks following their World Cup exertions.

A slow start to the season could prove costly for Chelsea's hopes of returning to the top four in a Premier League that is more competitive than ever at the top end, but Sarri insisted that the prospect of battling the coaching luminaries in charge of the Blues' main rivals motivates him.

"In the Premier League there are all the most important coaches in Europe, maybe in the world," he added. "It will be very exciting to play against [Pep] Guardiola, [Mauricio] Pochettino, [Jose] Mourinho, [Jurgen] Klopp and all the others."

Sarri earned public praise for the thrilling style of football he developed at Napoli from Guardiola last season, who said "it would be a pleasure" if the Italian ended up coaching in the Premier League.

"Guardiola is principally a friend," Sarri admitted. "I think he has spoken well about me for this motive."

Major trophies have so far proved elusive for Sarri in his 13-year coaching career, but he insisted that he is driven to bolster his growing reputation with silverware at Stamford Bridge.

"First of all I want to play my football, I want to enjoy myself," he said. "And probably I want also to win something.

"It's impossible in my job to promise something, but I surely would give all my possessions to win something with Chelsea."

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