Chelsea hero Ashley Cole says manager Maurizio Sarri needs to be given time.

Cole believes the Italian manager needs time for his philosophy to work and the players must also put in the effort.

He told Sky Sports: "I don't think he's under pressure just yet. He's come into a team and tried to put his philosophy there. I think it is down to the players as well, they've got to react and understand how he wants them to play.

"I watched 'Sarri-ball' at Napoli when I was in Italy and the football they played from the back with the goalkeeper was amazing. Now, all the players have got to get on board with that.

"I think it boils down to confidence. The Napoli players knew how he wanted them to play, they had the confidence to play it out of the back and they went with the philosophy. With Chelsea, some of the players have to get with it sooner rather than later but he's definitely a great manager.

"In terms of the players, if they win a few games then everything is rosy again. On recent results, top four wouldn't be enough.

"Sarri needs to get a little bit of time. I think he can bring that exciting, Italian football to England with Chelsea but they have to be on board a little bit as well."