Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Maurizio Sarri: It could take WEEKS for Chelsea players to forget Antonio Conte methods
MAURIZIO SARRI admits it will “take time” for Chelsea to adjust to life without Antonio Conte.
Sarri replaced Conte at Chelsea last week after the Blues finally got their house in order.
The appointment of Sarri and Conte’s subsequent sacking has cost Chelsea an estimated £13.5m.
Former Napoli boss Sarri is renowned for a more attractive style of football to Conte’s pragmatic, planned-out tactics.
Asked has the players will adapt to an overhaul in system, Sarri said he will take the good things from Conte’s reign but still stamp his authority on the team.
“I don’t want to be influenced by anyone and people that have seen other things,” Sarri said.
“Conte reached extraordinary things and is an extraordinary manager.
The good things Conte did must not be changed
“I play in a different way so it will take time with the squad.
“Many players are coming back from the World Cup, it will take time.
“The good things Conte did must not be changed, but it is also true that today these are the timelines, it is very important to know how to impose ones own football philosophy in shorter times.”
Conte won the Premier League and the FA Cup in his two years in charge of Chelsea.
Chelsea: Who is Chelsea's new manager Maurizio Sarri?
But a spat with the board one transfers meant the manager was eventually forced out.
Chelsea agreed to pay Sarri out of his Napoli contract this summer and the manager is keen to get to work.
“In my previous experiences I needed a long time (to get the players to understand my style),” he added.
“Once I needed three months, last time, because in Napoli we suffered in the three matches and then went along a positive path.
“I hope the quality of the team will help that.”