Sarri is a better coach for Chelsea’s defence than Conte, says Azpilicueta

Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta has admitted that the high octane ‘Sarri-ball’ tactics are proving better for Chelsea’s defence than those employed under previous manager Antonio Conte.

After initially playing at left-back when he first joined the club, the versatile Azpilicueta played as a centre-back in Antonio Conte’s back three system, helping them to win the 2017 Premier League title and the 2018 FA Cup.

However, since Maurizio Sarri took the reigns at Stamford Bridge, the Spanish international has moved to right-back as Chelsea have reverted to a back four, with the 29-year-old admitting that he is in favour of the high press defensive tactics.

“I prefer to defend as far as possible up the pitch,” Azpilicueta said (via the Daily Mail). “It’s different and you can see we press very high, the defensive line is very high but that’s what we want. We want to be dominant in the game and recover the ball as quick as possible and enjoy the ball when we have it.”

The former-Marseille man, who is also a Europa League winner with the Blues, feels that keeping opposition strikers as far from Chelsea’s box as possible is the key to the way Sarri sets his team up.

Maurizio Sarri is the fourth manager in Premier League history to win his first five games:

• Carlo Ancelotti (2009/10)
• Pep Guardiola (2016/17)
• Craig Shakespeare (2016/17)
• Maurizio Sarri (2018/19)

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He added: “You have the striker where you want him, as far as possible from the goal. These days, even when you are in the box you cannot feel safe because the quality the strikers have. It’s more complicated to defend there.”

Sarri’s unconventional methods have propelled Chelsea to an unbeaten start to the new Premier League season, winning all but one of their six games so far, drawing 0-0 with West Ham United on Sunday.

The Londoners’ next game is a League Cup tie at Anfield on Wednesday against Liverpool, who are now the only side in the Premier League with a 100% record.

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