Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea: 4 Analytical points

With the beginning of the new Premier League season, there have been several speculations around who will be the eventual champion of the 2018-19 season. Not many would have predicted Chelsea Football Club as the league leaders after the initial five games of the season, as over the years many managers have not been able to settle in the very first season as managers (Exceptions: Carlo Ancelotti and Antonio Conte).

Sarri faced similar critics on his arrival at Stamford Bridge. Sarri joined Chelsea.F.C on 14th July 2018 and so far he has enjoyed a great start with 5 wins out of 5 matches of the EPL.

In today's article, we will analyze his early time and improvement he has brought to Chelsea.F.C by highlighting his strength and weaknesses in detail.

#1 A 15-meter distance between defence and attack

Ideally, Sarri likes to have a 15m distance between all three lines (which means the team attacks and defends as a close unit). Moving as a close unit has many benefits if done right, as this helps the team in putting high pressure on the opposition to gain possession & defend as a unit when the opposition gains the possession.

Sarri's tactics

It is important to mention that pressing is done at its ''Price". When Chelsea moves as a unit to press and gain the possession, they leave an open gap behind the defence which leaves them vulnerable to quick counter-attacks.

#2 Quick in Transition

Chelsea FC - Premier League

In last 5 years, Chelsea had Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte at the head of the realm. Both managers have a pragmatic approach towards football which established Chelsea as a defensive side. The present Chelsea manager has a unique and a new approach towards football (Famously known in Italy as The Sarri-Ball).

"My idea of football is simple. I like to play possession-based football but possession at a high speed. Quick Transitions" - Maurizio Sarri

This approach has revitalized the squad. And lifted the spirit of the Stamford Bridge faithful.

#3 David Luiz

David Luiz is Back

David can be both a Positive & a Negative, He has great passing range & can pick runners from deep positions. But many times found casual on the ball and makes silly defensive mistakes which make him a liability defensively.

One has to accept the good and the bad with David Luiz. On his day he gives the best strikers in the world a run for their money but his concentration and consistency remains a question.

Sarri needs to rectify his erratic nature, Let us see if Sarri can improve the Brazilian. David Luiz has often left a positive impact on the pitch. Chelsea fans should not forget 19 may 2012 Champions League final.

His performance against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena was his career highlight and his inspired performance this season can help former European champions in finishing into the top 3 champion League spots.

#4 Kante's new positions

New Advance role for N'golo Kante

With new Boss comes new changes in style, tactics, and approaches in gameplay and with Maurizio Sarri coming in at Chelsea, they are acquiring many chances. One of the changes that are having a large effect on Chelsea is N'golo Kante's new advanced role.

N'golo Kante has been moved to a more advanced position with Jorginho taking the deeper position. In past, Kante's role was to break plays, tackle and intercept. However, under the new Chelsea boss, he has taken an advanced position and been very good at making intelligent runs towards the opposition Box.

His ability to play Box-Box gives an advantage to Chelsea by having an extra man in both attack and defence.

N’Golo Kante also commented upon the new role, suggesting his likeness towards it.

– “That is something I used to play at my old club, Caen,” Kante said this week. “I like it.”

And of course, Apart from making intelligent runs, the World Cup winner is still one of the best in the world when it comes to defensive work.