Former Napoli boss not that interested in transfer market
Wednesday 18 July 2018 19:13, UK
New Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri says he hopes Chelsea do not sell any of their best players this summer.
But the Italian added that he sees his job as developing players and that he will not be taking a keen interest in the transfer market.
Chelsea won the title two seasons ago under Sarri's compatriot Antonio Conte but could only finish fifth last season - and Eden Hazard, N'Golo Kante, Thibaut Courtois and Willian have all been linked with moves away this summer.
But Sarri said: "Clearly we would always like to keep all the strongest players. This is what any manager wants to do, this is what any club wants to do.
"But then we will have to see how the transfer market will go over the next few days.
"I feel a lot more of a field manager than a general manager - I think that I am one of the few managers who is bored by the transfer market.
"I don't want to talk about the transfer market and I am not that interested in it. I think our task as managers is growing the players that we have."
Chelsea's failure to qualify for the Champions League will not aid Sarri's cause but he is hopeful his coaching methods can convince Hazard and Courtois to stay.
"The players you are referring to are very high-level players and I would like to keep them in my squad," said the Italian.
"A telephone call without looking them in the eyes would not give me any certainty.
"I would like to meet these players face to face, talk to them and understand what the best thing to do would be for everyone.
"Before that I would also like a player to come on the pitch for four or five days together with me, to have a clear idea of what the situation is.
"Hazard is a very high-level player. He's one of the top two or three European players."
Sarri did say he may be interested in adding some midfield quality, in order to implement his system, but that he believes the squad can be adapted successfully if not.
"I cannot name any names, because I don't know who these people are," he said. "I spoke with the club and I said ideally a pinch of quality is lacking, for a certain kind of play.
"At the end of the transfers, it will be up to me to decide what the most suitable play for our squad is. I must adapt to Chelsea and the available players."
Sarri is fresh from an impressive stint at Napoli but he thinks the Premier League presents a tougher environment.
"This is a difficult challenge but a fascinating one," he said. "Here we have the strongest coaches in the world and the strongest players in the world.
"I know this will be an extremely difficult challenge for me. The Premier League is different to Serie A because it is stronger at the moment."
Sarri praised Conte - who added an FA Cup to his Chelsea CV last season - but says he will be playing in a slightly different style.
"I don't want to be influenced by anything or anyone," said the new boss.
"Antonio has reached incredible results, he is an extraordinary manager.
"I play in a slightly different way so it will take some time for the squad. Many players still have to come back from the World Cup.
"All good things that Antonio did should be left. It is very important to know how to impose one's football philosophy in shorter times."
