Premier League legend Paolo Di Canio has warned Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri that some of his players may turn on him if the Stamford Bridge outfits current poor run of form continues.
Sarri’s Chelsea reign began in superb fashion with his side going through the first 12 games of the Premier League season unbeaten, but they have lost two of their last three top flight fixtures: including a sobering defeat to London rival Spurs and a disappointing loss to newly promoted Wolves.
Former West Ham attacker Di Canio has suggested that some of Sarri’s squad may begin to doubt his methods if they fail to rediscover their early season form, with several members of the Chelsea squad having been accused of ‘downing tools,’ under both Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte in the past.
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“Chelsea? The opposite would have been better: a slow start and continuous growth. Now the path has almost stopped and there is an involution. For players like Hazard and Willian, it is also difficult to pass the opponent. There are many games in this period and the other teams do not give up anything. Sarri will have to be careful.’’ Di Canio told Sky Sports Italia.
“On Saturday there is City and Chelsea will face them after a defeat. You can lose against City, but if there is another defeat, they might find themselves fifth. The risk is that many players feel the backlash and do not believe in the growth process. Many of these players are the same ones who had given up on Mourinho and Conte.
“They have no reason to give up the championship with Sarri because I see that they love him and follow him. However, I repeat that Sarri must clarify some points in the tactical and technical process because those up front hold the ball too much for his way of thinking about football.”
Chelsea welcome Pep Guardiola’s imperious Man City side to Stamford Bridge this evening.