MX23RW : Tuesday, March 19 10:51:12| >> :60:3164:3164:
[monks data]
Attendance: 30,645
Brighton logo
Premier League | Gameweek 17
Dec 16, 2018 at 1.30pm UK
 
Chelsea logo

1-2

March (66')
FT(HT: 0-2)
Pedro (17'), Hazard (33')

Sarri calls on Chelsea players to keep up winning ways

The Blues followed a win over Manchester City with victory in the Europa League but will hope the focus against Brighton is not on off-field problems.

Head coach Maurizio Sarri has called on his Chelsea players to follow up their performance in victory over Manchester City in Sunday’s Premier League clash at Brighton.

The Blues will hope attention is fixed on the field of play after two high-profile incidents involving their supporters this week – the alleged racial abuse of Raheem Sterling and anti-Semitic chanting during the Europa League win at Vidi in Hungary on Thursday.

The Sterling incident overshadowed Chelsea’s 2-0 win over defending Premier League champions Manchester City.

Sarri lauded his players for their performance and, after weeks in which he has bemoaned a lack of motivation and application, afterwards immediately called on them to continue to show the same desire.

That will be tested at Brighton, after the inconsequential – on the field at least – draw with Vidi, when Chelsea had already advanced to the Europa League last 32 as Group L winners.

On facing Brighton, Sarri said: “For us it is a very important match. We need to confirm our motivation and determination like we showed in the last match.

“We need these qualities with continuity because every match is three points. We need to improve, improve a lot. I agree this match for us is really very important. Maybe it is the most important in this season at this moment.”

Alvaro Morata could be absent with a knee injury when Chelsea face Brighton
Alvaro Morata could be absent with a knee injury when Chelsea face Brighton (Nick Potts/PA)

Striker Alvaro Morata could miss out with a knee problem sustained in Budapest, and his absence would mean Olivier Giroud is Sarri’s only recognised striker.

Kepa Arrizabalaga, Antonio Rudiger, Eden Hazard, Cesar Azpilicueta and N’Golo Kante are poised to return to the starting line-up after being rested for the Hungary trip.

Mateo Kovacic, Gary Cahill and Victor Moses missed out through injury and could be absent again.

Jorginho, like David Luiz, was an unused substitute against Vidi and Sarri stressed the Italy playmaker’s importance while highlighting again his rationale for selecting Kante in a more advanced role.

Jorginho is set to come back into the Chelsea midfield, alongside N'Golo Kante
Jorginho is set to come back into the Chelsea midfield, alongside N’Golo Kante (Adam Davy/PA)

“If you buy Jorginho and have (Cesc) Fabregas, then I think you have to play 4-3-3,” Sarri said.

“If you play 4-3-3 in my style of football, then the central midfielder is a very technical player.

“Jorginho is very fast in the mind. He is able to play one touch or two touch. Fabregas also is technically really very good.

“I think that Kante in my style of football has to play there (right midfield).

“I can understand that somebody might think something different but if you think to my football, you have to say that I am right.”

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Matt McGeehan, Press Association Sport');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '4f3de2c4-ec87-4384-9a3b-88c69c92a467');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:uk');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Sarri calls on Chelsea players to keep up winning ways'});

ID:344344: cacheID:344344:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7462:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!