Maurizio Sarri: I’m lucky to have Pedro and Willian

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri believes he is very “lucky” to have attacking talents such as Pedro and Willian in his squad.

The Tuscan native was lauding the options he has in attack after Chelsea managed to beat Bournemouth in a tight contest at the weekend, claiming that he feels like a “lucky man”.

Pedro was left on the bench for Saturday’s win over the Cherries, despite being the top scorer this season, as Sarri went for Hazard and Willian either side of Alvaro Morata in the starting line-up.

However, it was the Spaniard’s late introduction that changed the game in Chelsea’s favour as Pedro opened the scoring after coming on to replace Willian.

Eden Hazard rounded things off with a late second to preserve the London club’s 100% start under Sarri, who was quick to praise the Spaniard while also highlighting the strength in depth he has available to him.

“Pedro played the first three games in the starting XI but today I thought it was better to play with Willian,” Sarri told reporters at Stamford Bridge. “I am lucky because any coach who can choose between Pedro and Willian is a lucky coach.

“Pedro is a great player. I think in every season he has scored about 15 goals, so it is normal for him to score. Hazard, Pedro, [Victor] Moses, Willian, all in the same position – I am very lucky and I don’t want to forget [Callum] Hudson-Odoi.”

Despite the perfect start, the Italian was concerned that Chelsea have to learn to defend properly, highlighting the performance against Arsenal as a particular example of where they need to improve.

Although he was happy with the win over Bournemouth, he was quick to note where they were vulnerable.

“I think we need to be careful – especially the positioning of the player when we are in the offensive phases,” Sarri said. “Today, we had the right full-back making a cross and the other one in the box. It was a little bit dangerous. We were always in a position to face the counter-attack with only the centre-backs.

Only six managers have won each of their first four Premier League games:

Jose Mourinho
Guus Hiddink
Carlo Ancelotti
Craig Shakespeare
Pep Guardiola
Maurizio Sarri

Half did so as Chelsea manager. pic.twitter.com/04FmDC41pk

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 1, 2018

“David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger were in the right positions when the opposition attacked the space but the defenders and the midfielders on the left and right were not. We need to improve the positioning under the line of the ball.

“If we improve in this, then in this kind of match we can have more continuity without the counter-attacks of the opponent. With this continuity maybe we can score earlier.”

Chelsea will take on Premier League newcomers Cardiff City after the international break as Sarri’s side attempt to make it five wins from five to start the season.

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