Reports on Wednesday claimed that under fire Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri will be axed if the Blues are beaten in any of their next three matches after losing the backing of the club’s hierarchy but the Italian insists he expects to avoid being sacked if his troubled side can put together a sustained winning run while accusing critics for ignoring rival Arsenal problems.
Sarri may have secured a stay of execution, albeit maybe only for one more game, by progressing to the last-16 of the Europa League, but the Stamford Bridge crowd were for a long time too bored to boo or get worked up enough to give “f*** Sarri-ball” another outing.
The former Napoli boss questioned why Chelsea were being so heavily criticized, comparing their season favorably to that of rivals Arsenal.
A 3-0 victory over Malmo on Thursday saw Sarri’s side move into the Europa League last 16 thanks to a 5-1 aggregate win.
Sarri said it was unusual his side were getting so much criticism compared to Arsenal, who have the same number of points in the Premier League and also reached the last 16 in the Europa League.
“I keep hearing people praise Arsenal’s season, but they are not in the EFL Cup final, they have the same points as us in the Premier League and reached the last 16 of the Europa League just like us,” he told Sky Sport Italia.
“I don’t understand why people act as if our season is so negative and Arsenal’s is impressive.
“It’s true there have been many ups and downs, including some deep lows, but considering it’s my first season in a new league and environment, I think that’s acceptable.
“I did take over a team that finished fifth, not one that won the championship.”
The Italian is still under enormous pressure ahead of Chelsea’s meeting with Manchester City in the EFL Cup final on Sunday.