Sarri thinks one step at a time despite Chelsea’s winning start

Posted Sunday, September 02, 2018 by PA

Head coach Maurizio Sarri is refusing to get carried away after Chelsea extended their 100 per cent start to the Premier League season with a 2-0 win over Bournemouth.

The Blues have been crowned champions in four of the five previous seasons in which they won their first four games, but Sarri refuses to look beyond the next game – against Cardiff on September 15 – following the international break.

The 59-year-old was appointed following Antonio Conte’s sacking, after the Blues finished fifth in the league last term – well adrift of champions Manchester City.

“I think now for us it’s better to think of the next match. Because the gap at the beginning was 30 points,” Sarri said.

“I think it’s very difficult to cover this gap in only one season.

“I’m very happy with the four matches, but I think only, starting from now, to the next match, not to the end of the season.

“I’m very happy with 12 points in four matches. But I always think we can do more. We can improve.”

Pedro struck after 72 minutes and Eden Hazard added a second five minutes from time.

Sarri had no doubt Chelsea would prevail against Bournemouth in a tricky contest.

“This kind of match usually you can win in the last 20, 25 minutes,” he added.

Marcos Alonso had a role in Hazard’s goal and impressed so much that Sarri lauded the left-back.

“Alonso I think at the moment in this position, left-back, he is maybe the best in Europe,” Sarri added.

“Physical qualities at top level, I think. He’s doing very well in the offensive phase. I also think he can improve in the defensive phase.

“He could be the best left-back in the world.”

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe had exchanged ideas with Sarri when the 59-year-old was at Empoli and Napoli. Tutor overcame student here – but not by much.

Howe, whose side won 3-0 here in January, said: “I thought we did well for long periods of the game.

“Chelsea are a different team this year, a totally different way of playing. They’ll be a difficult team to play against, but we nullified their strengths and had the best two chances, chances we didn’t take and we paid the penalty for that with a cruel deflection off Steve Cook.

“We’re pleased with the majority of the performance, but ultimately disappointed to get nothing from it. We know there’s areas we can improve.”

Callum Wilson in the first half and former Chelsea defender Nathan Ake in the second might have put the Cherries in front.

“Up until that first goal I do think the game was in the balance,” Howe added.

“We knew we were going to have limited opportunities to score. We did create the best moments in the game. Those one or two moments you do get, you’ve got to try to take.

“Callum’s done really well for us at the start of the season. Nathan’s was a good opportunity, as well.

“Last time when we came here, we had those opportunities and took them. Chasing the game was a difficult challenge, and we had to open up.”