SINGAPORE - Maurizio Sarri should be given more time as Chelsea manager, but the club's success next season will also depend greatly on whether it succeeds in getting a transfer ban lifted.
That's the view of former Blues striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who will be in town to catch Chelsea's English Premier League game against Manchester United on Sunday (April 28) with local fans the Clarke Quay Fountain Square at the Football Moments event, presented by Chang Beer and organised by Singtel Media.
A win would strengthen Chelsea's hopes for a top-four finish, which also ensures qualification to the Champions League next season. The Blues are fourth on 67 points, one ahead of fifth-placed Arsenal and three head of United in sixth, with three games left this season.
Hasselbaink felt that Chelsea - and Sarri - have to make a statement they are going in the right direction by beating United.
The 47-year-old told the Sunday Times: "The team started the season really well and the expectations were raised because the team went 12 games unbeaten and were top of the table, but a lot of (observers) knew they could not maintain the position because they don't have the squad that Manchester City or Liverpool has.
"Sarri came in with a totally different football style which other teams eventually adapted to, and Chelsea themselves have not really adapted to these changes.
"Sunday will be a very important match and Chelsea must show they can beat a top-six rival away, something they have not done all season.
Â
Â
Â
Â
"And once the season is over, you have to look at the plusses and minuses, and then build on that by giving Sarri more time because the club already made a decision to go with his style by appointing him in the first place."
The Dutchman also believes that Chelsea need to strengthen their squad in the summer, with the London club facing the prospect of losing their top striker Eden Hazard to Real Madrid.
But it will depend on whether the Blues can overturn the two-window transfer ban Fifa slapped onto the club in February for breaching rules related to the signing of players under the age of 18. Chelsea have appealed against the ruling.
Hasselbaink said: "Chelsea definitely need to strengthen the squad, regardless of whether Hazard stays or goes.
"They need a better balance, and in midfield, they also need more creativity, like how Manchester City has in players like Kevin de Bruyne.
"They also need a leftback, centrehalf and most importantly, an out-and-out striker that is top quality."
Hasselbaink (1999, 2001) and Ivorian Didier Drogba (2007, 2010) are the only two Chelsea strikers to top the Premier League's scoring charts in the last 20 years, and he believes he knows why Argentinian striker Gonzalo Higuain (four goals in 14 games) has struggled since his loan move from Juventus in January.
Hasselbaink said: "You need to be at your physical peak in the Premier League. It's a lot quicker and more physical than the Italian Serie A or Spanish LaLiga.
"Higuain is (31), he needs time to adapt... If he was 26 and arrived in the Premier League, it would have been easier for him, and I am sure he would have done well."
Football: Sarri fears Chelsea ban will ruin title hopes. Chelsea's success next season hinges on transfer ban being lifted, says former striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
More racial abuse cases heighten calls for action
Jamie Redknapp and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink have slammed the decision not to award Derby a free-kick prior to Chelsea's winner in the Carabao Cup. Chelsea narrowly overcame Derby 3-2 to progress to
Chelsea transfers: the 10 best and 10 worst Premier League
Over the last 23 years, Chelsea have consistently signed big-name players on their way to four Premier League titles. Sportsmail looks at the 10 best and 10 worst of a big-spending era in blue.
Football: Chelsea's success next season hinges on transfer ban being lifted, says former striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink 0:0 Comments Football: Former Man United player Wes Brown believes top four still within Red Devils' reach 0:0 Comments 6 vintage apparel stores in Singapore that bring it back on 0:0 Comments
Tottenham 0-1 West Ham: Michail Antonio goal ends Spurs
sports-life-news.com/soccer/tottenham-0-1-west-ham-michail-antonio-goal-ends-spurs-perfect-record-at-new-stadium/
West Ham ended Tottenham's 100 per cent record at their new stadium with a shock 1-0 victory in the Premier League. Michail Antonio scored the only goal of the game, the first Spurs have conceded in their five games at the Tottenham
Steph Curry on the rise again at NBA champs Warriors | Sports
sports-life-news.com/basketball/steph-curry-on-the-rise-again-at-nba-champs-warriors/
Curry is a big reason why Golden State is back on top despite a sometimes tumultuous season. The two-time MVP made 9 of 12 three-point attempts and had seven assists in the wire-to-wire win. Josh Jackson scored 35 points, including eight in overtime, as the host Phoenix Suns held off the New Orleans Pelicans 133-126.
Chelsea's Jose Mourinho would 'smash' League Two, says Burton
Football: Chelsea's success next season hinges on transfer ban being lifted, says former striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink SINGAPORE - Maurizio Sarri should be given more time as Chelsea manager, but the club's success next season will also depend greatly on whether it succeeds in getting a transfer ban lifted.
Football: Sarri fears Chelsea ban will ruin title hopes
SINGAPORE - Maurizio Sarri should be given more time as Chelsea manager, but the club's success next season will also depend greatly on whether it succeeds in getting a transfer ban lifted.. Read
Football: Chelsea's success next season hinges on transfer
Football: Chelsea's success next season hinges on transfer
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was a guest on Talksport on Monday, and the former Chelsea striker discussed his former club's success in winning the Premier League this season. Hasselbaink is now the
Chelsea's All-Time Premier League Squad Based on Shirt
The captain, leader, legend of Chelsea; there hasn't been a more successful player in the club's history. Of all the players on this list, Terry offers up the strongest argument for his shirt
Redknapp and Hasselbaink slam decision in build up to Chelsea
No comments:
Post a Comment