I Want My Players To Be In Control – Sarri

Maurizio Sarri has lamented his depleted squad after his side fell 2-0 to Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday, saying he’s yet to even see six players.

Asked after Sunday’s game how much time he would need to implement his tactics at Chelsea, Sarri could only say, “I don’t know how long it will take.

“I arrived three weeks ago, and I haven’t seen six players yet. It depends on me, it depends on the players. But I don’t know.”

The Italian did add, however, that his team’s cohesiveness was not yet up to where he wants it to be.

“We have the idea to press but sometimes we press in the right way and sometimes not,” Sarri said. “We want to be in control of the match but today we were not in control. It’s a long way. We have to work. It’s not very easy.

“In the next week we have a friendly match [against Lyon in the International Champions Cup] and I prefer to be on the pitch with the players only for training.”

Sarri also said he would wait to speak to Courtois himself before commenting on the player’s future.

“I have no reaction on the agent. I’m not interested in the agent, I want to hear if Courtois tomorrow will say the same,” Sarri said. “I have to speak with my club. I want only players with high level of motivation. I don’t have any answer to the agent.”