LONDON • Maurizio Sarri will consider drafting a psychologist onto his coaching staff after suggesting that his Chelsea players are suffering from a mental block during matches.
The Blues coach had seen his team take the foot off the gas late in the recent win at Brighton and succumb to Wolves in similar circumstances, and last Saturday's 1-0 Premier League home loss to Leicester was more of the same.
Defender Antonio Rudiger branded his team's third defeat in six league games "a disaster" and down to "a lack of mentality".
Urging his teammates to make amends ahead of their league trip to Watford tomorrow, he said: "We don't talk about the title any more. If we can't win these games, we can't compete. We only talk now about top four. Stupid."
Sarri also felt Chelsea's underlying problems could not be pinned on fitness issues, saying: "There is another reason - not the players' physical condition.
"I had a sports psychologist 15 years ago in Italy, but it was really very difficult because the clubs were not ready then. But we can talk about it, why not?
The Italian is expected to shuffle the pack - striker Alvaro Morata remains an injury doubt - at Vicarage Road and he confirmed that midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek would make only his second league start of the season against either the Hornets or at Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Hinting that there could be departures when the January transfer window opens, he said: "At the moment, we have too many. We have 28 players and it's impossible to use all of them. 25 is the right number.
"You already know my opinion, because I've told you in the past. We have a lot of offensive midfielders and we have only (N'Golo) Kante as a defensive midfielder so it's not easy now for the midfield to have the right balance."
But, for now, Sarri will have to put all thoughts of transfers to the side and focus on an improving Watford side, now in seventh place and with genuine designs on a Europa League spot.
The last time Javi Gracia's men played European football was in the 1983-84 season, but captain Troy Deeney feels this could be their year as they are "not a bad outfit". He told The Mirror: "I let everybody else do the ambitions. We know what we have got in the dressing room.
"But we've got to keep doing what we're doing, be a bit arrogant in terms of knowing what we have got, but humble enough to know you have to work hard to win in this league."
Teammate Craig Cathcart agreed, insisting the mood around the club was "going really well".
He said: "Since I've come to the club, it's been an uphill scale. We've managed to stabilise ourselves in the Premier League.
"We've added top-quality players since we've been here and it's just a pleasure to play for the club."
THE GUARDIAN
WATFORD V CHELSEA
Singtel TV Ch102 & StarHub Ch227, Thursday, 3.30am
Jun 04, 2019 · Not coincidentally, the province is a key outpost in China's "Belt and Road" initiative that aims to increase China's exports to and its influence over south Asia, Africa and Europe.
China ramps up its own semiconductor industry amid the trade war
Answers.com is the place to go to get the answers you need and to ask the questions you want
Brainly.com - For students. By students.
Jurgen Klopp has vowed that Liverpool will remain positive as they battle for the Premier League title despite a wobble that has enabled Manchester City to seize the initiative. Liverpool's
Premier League » News » Liverpool staying positive despite
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk insists he will not face a personal duel against Lionel Messi in his side's Champions League semi-final against Barcelona. Van Dijk is in contention for player of the year awards in England thanks to his transformative effect on Liverpool since becoming the world's most expensive defender when moving from
'I cannot stop Messi alone' - Daily Nation
Bayern reach German Cup final to keep double in sight
LONDON (REUTERS) - Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku rediscovered his finishing touch in fine fashion, scoring a superb goal in each half to help them to a 3-1 Premier League win at Crystal
Lukaku Double Inspires Man United To 3-1 Win At Palace
Solskjaer unimpressed as United ease past Reading in Cup FA Cup third round football match between Manchester United and Reading. of-favour big names in Saturday's FA Cup third round win
Solskjaer unimpressed as United ease past Reading in Cup
With Silva, Portugal no more just the Ronaldo show Straits Times · 1d PORTO * Cristiano Ronaldo has ended his international exile to spearhead Portugal's hopes of winning the inaugural Nations League at home this weekend, but gone are the days when he was the European champions' only man to fear.
Nations League: More than just Cristiano Ronaldo! Portugal
West Ham 0-2 Everton REPORT: Bernard and Zouma secure comfortable away win. The Toffees eased to victory at the London Stadium to leapfrog their opponents in the table
Everton F.C. - Wikipedia
UEFA says anti-racism protocol not followed in Koulibaly case. correct anti-racism protocol had not been followed during the Italian league game to abuse during the game before he was sent
UEFA says anti-racism protocol not followed in Koulibaly case
Leicester City Welcome Brendan Rodgers With Win, Newcastle
Klopp pointed to City's financial power, backed by the club's Abu Dhabi owners, as a principal reason why they will not be easy to overhaul. However, unlike Manchester United, who ended the season as close to the relegation zone as they were to City, 32 points behind the champions in sixth, City have invested their money wisely.
All Eyes On: Richie McCaw & Morgan Parra. The All Blacks will want to celebrate captain Richie McCaw's 100th cap with a convincing win over the French in Auckland. McCaw's qualities should be familiar to any rugby fan; his work at the breakdown, big defence and deceptive pace when running with the ball setting him above the rest.
All eyes on Milan clash for Juventus boss Massimiliano
0 comments:
Post a Comment