LONDON • Manager Maurizio Sarri says he is not worried about Chelsea's looming transfer embargo, insisting he has confidence in his squad as he targets a top-four finish in the Premier League.
The Stamford Bridge club, who host London rivals West Ham on Monday, are fifth in the table, level on 63 points with fourth-placed Arsenal, who have a game in hand.
Chelsea were handed a two-window transfer ban by world governing body Fifa in February over the recruitment of foreign youngsters, with the appeal against the sanction set to be heard next Thursday.
Sarri said at his pre-match press conference yesterday that he was not concerned even if the appeal is not successful and that he was "very confident in my players". He said: "We have a lot of very good young players who are improving.
"If they are able to improve, we will be a better team in the future. I am not worried about the market. I am confident in my players."
Manchester City and Liverpool are virtually assured of Champions League places for next season, but Tottenham, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United are separated by just three points as they target the two remaining places.
WE'LL BE FINE
If they are able to improve, we will be a better team in the future. I am not worried about the market. I am confident in my players.
MAURIZIO SARRI, Chelsea manager, who is not concerned about the impact of a two-window transfer ban on the EPL club.
However, Chelsea, who face Slavia Prague in the last eight of the Europa League, could also secure Champions League qualification by winning the competition .
Sarri said the final weeks of the season would be tough, with away league games against Liverpool and United on top of their European commitments, and wants to keep his players as fresh as possible for the run-in.
"The last part of the season will be very difficult for every team," he said."We have to fight until the last minute of the last match, but without looking at the other results.
He also revealed he wants to keep Gonzalo Higuain next season, even though the transfer ban may block the club turning his loan from Juventus into a permanent move.
The striker spent the first half of the season on loan at Milan and has struggled since arriving at Stamford Bridge in January, scoring just three goals in 11 appearances, all of which came against already relegated Huddersfield and Fulham.
Asked if he wants to keep the 31-year-old, Sarri said: "Yes of course, but it depends on the club, it depends on Juventus, it's not clear the situation at the moment.
"I think that he has to improve, physically, mentally. But I think also that he will be able to be very useful for us in the last part of the season.
"You know very well that it's not easy in the first months to play in the Premier League, it was a problem also for (Luis) Suarez in the first season at Liverpool."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Football news - Wolves deepen Cardiff's relegation plight with 2-0 win. By Reuters. 02/03/2019 at 17:34 Updated 02/03/2019 at 19:01.
Wolves deepen Cardiff's relegation plight with 2-0 win - The
feb 27, 2019 football news Sadio Mane and Virgil van Dijk both scored twice as Liverpool returned to winning ways with a dominant performance against Watford to stay top of the Premier League. Jurgen Klopp's side were 2-0 up in 20 minutes at Anfield as Senegal forward Mane headed the first before doubling the lead with an outrageous backheel
Stylish Liverpool thrash Watford 5-0 to stay top of league
Recalling Origi's "lucky goal", the Portuguese supervisor additionally mocked the style by which the Reds boss celebrated the win as if it "was the final of a World Cup". EVERTON V LIVERPOOL. Singtel TV Ch102 & StarHub Ch227, Monday, 12.15am
WOMEN'S WORLD CUP TICKET PACKAGE | Cincinnati Reds
Football; Formula 1; Willian gem sinks Newcastle as Chelsea cement fourth place. Willian cut back inside two Newcastle defenders on the left side of the area before curling a masterful
Football: Willian gem sinks Newcastle as Chelsea cement
Former Manchester United and England midfielder Paul Scholes has been appointed manager of Oldham Athletic, the club announced on Monday. Scholes, 44, is taking on his first managerial role
Man United great Scholes appointed manager of Oldham
Emery wary of Valencia's recovery potential in 2nd leg Alexandre Lacazette watches as Valencia goalkeeper Neto is unable to prevent the striker's header from crossing the line to give Arsenal the
Emery wary of Valencia's recovery potential in 2nd leg
Sacked Puel says an 'honour' to manage Leicester. to work for the late and much-loved Khun Vichai, who gave me the fantastic opportunity to manage his club and share some great moments
Sacked Puel says an 'honour' to manage Leicester - Nairalovers
Football News - Fabio Quagliarella attributed his new-found serenity, after years of a stalker nightmare, to his stunning form as the 36-year-old became the oldest player to score for Italy
Not just the people at Groningen. Every big club in Holland. Ajax's run to the 2017 Europa League final and to the Champions League semi's this year saw a clutch of young stars come to the
Justin Kluivert: The Ajax kid who will be king - goal.com
The Netherlands will not be lulled into a false sense of security when they face a struggling, new-look Germany in their Euro 2020 qualifier in Amsterdam on Sunday, captain Virgil van Dijk has said.
Dutch not favourites against struggling Germany - Van Dijk
Soccer Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - December 21, 2018 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring their first goal wit
Liverpool seal Christmas top spot as Salah and Van Dijk sink
ABU DHABI (AFP) - Iran coach Carlos Queiroz said on Friday (Jan 18) that he was "honoured" to be courted by Colombia, who want the former Real Madrid boss to join them after the Asian Cup.. Read
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz set for Colombia switch after Asian
0 comments:
Post a Comment