The Story Previously
As the League drama is going on, Stamford Bridge is no longer a safe place to finish in the cream zone of the league table. The Blues started the league very well though it seems it is going worse day by day. Chelsea have faced a dramatic defeat last night in the Premier League against Everton. Though it was their away game, Chelsea were the favourites. However, it didn’t take too many time to change the scenario as the home side scored just after half time. First, it was Richarlison and then Sigurdsson who put the last nail in the coffin. This defeat pushed Chelsea to 6th position in the league table. As expected the former Napoli manager who is now in charge of the Blues seemed under pressure. Maurizio Sarri said that Chelsea could have been three or four goals up at half-time.
The visitors missed easy chances and understandably got exposed by the sudden switch as Everton took a grip on the second half after being outplayed in the first. As the manager said that they were good up to the last minute of the first half and bad from the first minute of the second and he also added that they were in control of the game and all they had to do was continue, and they could not do that.
When Sarri was asked about the top four places, he said that if you are asking me about the top four he would say it depends on whether you are speaking about the first half or the second. Sarri admits that it will be hard to reach the top four now but he would not say impossible. If Chelsea can play as they did in the first half for eight matches then they will definitely give themselves a chance.
Everton manager Marco Silva also accepted the fact that the first half had been difficult for the home side. The witty man played down his role in producing a second-half performance of far greater intensity. What he said at the interval was simple. He said in the second half that they just need to do everything differently. He was pleased with the response from the players, in the second half, Everton showed their real selves. However, things are not going well for the Blues. Though the marque man Eden Hazard thinks the squad is together, half of them is already expecting his departure.
Chelsea have won 15 trophies since Roman Abramovich has taken up the club in 2003. The reason behind that is obviously Eden Hazard. Though Chelsea have shown some real fight in the field, they face a battle to reach the Champions League next season now. This type of situation can automatically trigger the exit of their talisman. Hazard is regarded as one of the greatest forward in this time. So it is natural that he wants to be in Europe’s most elite league. After the return of Zidane at Santiago Bernabeu, Hazard looks all set to join the Los Blancos.
Sarri’s Current Status
It seems that the Italian manager’s future will now depend on two things. The first would be the fact whether the west Londoners can finish in the top four or not. Second, would be whether or not they can win the Europa League title. Both factors would have an impact on the board’s decision to retain him or sack him.
There were a lot of rumours going around as to who could replace him, though only time will tell what will happen now.
