A good start, then the relationship between Maurizio Sarri and Chelsea supporters (and maybe with directors too…) has gradually deteriorated, perhaps also because of the painful defeats suffered by the Blues this season (after the 6-0 Man City result literally many fans demanded he be sacked).
Hired by Chelsea executives to launch a challenge against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City and Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool, the Blues are now fifth in the standings.
Qualification to the Champions League is still to be gained and there's a gap between themselves and second place in the standings of 17 points. Considering how much Chelsea has spent in the market (Jorginho alone cost 65 million euros) more was expected.
Was it a good choice to go to work in the Premier League? Prominent Italian agent Nicola Giuliani, who takes care of several high-profile coaches, said exclusively to TribalFootball.com: "I think that going to Chelsea was a great job after Napoli. But Chelsea Football Club is one that demands the most important and immediate results. This has only been partly possible. They need to see more and more of the 'Sarrian' total football."
As Giuliani says, the Blues demand immediate results, while Sarri is a coach who needs time and confidence to build his teams, with a 4-3-3 made of fast passes and insertions, with a false 9 and almost always having the ball on the ground.
The spark between Chelsea and Sarri is yet to ignite. It's been a while since the former Napoli coach has also been a victim of the 'choirs', often chanting against his famous 'Sarriball'.
It is not yet clear whether he will remain or not with Chelsea, there are many rumors about his possible future, in particular there is much talk here in Rome about the possibility that Franco Baldini would call him to the Giallorossi, where he could certainly build a Naples-style project with less difficulty.
Giuliani told us: "Roma has the patience to build over time. Sarri could be the perfect profile."
The future Giallorossi coach could be chosen by Baldini (with the help of Ricky Massara and perhaps Luis Campos, a candidate for the role of market consultant), given Monchi's early farewell.
On Monchi, Giuliani added: "Monchi's decision to leave surprised me, he is a great director. He came to a complex and difficult situation like the Roman one - and ended up as we all know."
Sarri, meanwhile, will lead his Chelsea on Thursday against Slavia Prague for a place in the Europa League semifinals. His and Chelsea's progress now generating as much interest in Rome as in London.
