Sarri admits he’s a dreamer

Maurizio Sarri described himself as a ‘dreamer’ on Friday and called on Chelsea to show patience in him and his methods, amid claims he could be facing the sack this summer.

Wednesday’s 4-0 loss at Bournemouth was Chelsea’s worst Premier League result in over 22 years and head coach Sarri returned to London separately from his playing squad, following a lengthy dressing-room inquest, to begin preparations for Saturday’s clash with bottom club Huddersfield.

And the Italian, appointed as Antonio Conte’s successor last July, pointed to the example of Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, who had a challenging start at Anfield before leading a title challenge to Manchester City and Tottenham this season.

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Sarri, who had fewer than seven hours’ sleep in the 48 hours after the Bournemouth loss, said: “The situation is very clear. There are three teams above the others.

“English football is in the hands of these teams because they had a plan and they were patient. “I want to remember that in the first season Klopp and Liverpool were in the middle of the table (the Reds finished eighth in 2015-16). “I am a dreamer, I want to play my football.”

Sarri refuses to compromise on his footballing principles – or even to have a contingency plan. “Why? First of all I want to do Plan A very well, I think,” he added. “I don’t want to change something that at the moment doesn’t work very well. First of all I want to see my football played very well, then we can go to change something.

“Everybody 10 years ago knew Barcelona very well, but Barcelona won everything, because Barcelona played their football very well. “First of all I want to play my football very well. Then I can change.”

Chelsea are fifth entering this weekend’s fixtures, behind Arsenal on goal difference after five losses in 12 league games, but are in next month’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City.

The Wembley clash comes at the end of a week which sees them play Manchester United in the FA Cup fifth round and Malmo in the Europa League last 32 second leg.

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Sarri, who has even been hampered by some claims that he could be facing the sack at the end of the season if his side don’t make the top four, admitted the job is more difficult than he anticipated.

However, he admits his position is always precarious – even after December’s surprise league win over Manchester City. The former Napoli boss said: “My job is always at risk, and I love my job for this (reason). I thrive on pressure. “I know very well the rules. You can win against City, but after three days you are at risk.”