Chelsea taking EFL Cup seriously as Maurizio Sarri seeks end to 28-year trophy drought

Hands-on: Maurizio Sarri is taking the Carabao Cup seriously even though a top-four spot in the League is the club’s priority
Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Simon Johnson19 December 2018

The League Cup may be at the bottom of most managers’ priorities but try telling that to Maurizio Sarri.

Chelsea’s starting XI on Wednesday will feature a fair amount of changes but do not mistake that for a lack of desire.

Chelsea’s hierarchy see a top-four finish in the Premier League as the major target, meaning Saturday’s game against Leicester, the first of four in the top flight in the space of just 12 days, is the priority for Sarri. However, the Italian made his intentions for this cup competition clear in his first tie three months ago, when he brought Eden Hazard off the bench at Liverpool to get the winner.

Much has been said about the playing-style revolution Sarri is undertaking — there has been a lot of progress since his arrival in July and the players appear to be adapting to his demands — but every coach wants to get their hands on major silverware as quickly as possible to prove the new tactics bring rewards.

However, despite forging a fine reputation in Italy over the past 28 years, during which he was in charge of 18 clubs, he has never won a trophy.

Defender David Luiz insists the squad are determined to help the former Napoli boss bring that drought to an end this term, starting with the League Cup.

Asked if it was important for Sarri to win a trophy, he told Standard Sport: “Of course. He is working for that. He is a great coach, with a great philosophy, great enthusiasm, and we want to make him happy. If we can win a trophy as soon as possible for him that will be great.

“Can lifting the League Cup have a knock-on effect for other competitions we are playing in? It is always a great thing to win trophies, always great to play in big games and competitions.

“The League Cup is always important. It is another trophy we can win. It is something I want to achieve, too, because it is the only trophy I haven’t won during my time with Chelsea.

“We will do our best [tonight against Bournemouth].”

Should he play, Bournemouth forward Callum Wilson may have something to say about that.

Hot property: Callum Wilson
Getty Images

The 26-year-old, who has a minor hamstring strain, is in fine form for Eddie Howe’s side, scoring nine goals and creating six assists this season.

England coach Gareth Southgate rewarded him with a senior debut last month and he scored in that match against USA. Major clubs in the top flight are considering making a bid for Wilson and Chelsea are one of them, as Sarri’s assistant, Gianfranco Zola, confirmed in the pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

Howe is in the awkward position of knowing that selecting Wilson might give his side the best chance to progress to the last four but also convince Chelsea to make an offer in the process.

It is clear that the Bournemouth man has earned the respect of everyone in the Chelsea dressing room ahead of this contest.

In Pictures | Brighton vs Chelsea | 16/12/2018

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Luiz added: “I think he is amazing, a great player. He is doing really well. He is a top number nine with power and great movement.

“He is scoring a lot of goals, he did well in his first game for England. If he continues in this way, he is a player to play in the best teams in the world.”

Zola also discussed why Chelsea could face a difficult task in keeping Wilson subdued on Wednesday.

He said: “I like him because he’s quick but also strong in the air, which are very important qualities. He’s doing very well and I’m pleased for him. He has a lot of qualities which can take him a long way.”

There was a feeling outside of the club that this was an easy draw but Chelsea don’t have short memories. Howe’s side won in the League at Stamford Bridge in 2015 and last season, while they made life difficult for the hosts before succumbing to a 2-0 loss in September.

Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth have won two of their four Premier League games at Chelsea
PA

“I love the way Bournemouth play, the way their coach approaches the games, the style of the players there,” Luiz said.

“I always joke with Willian that they have many twins there because they have so many players who are similar with their quality and speed.”

Should Chelsea get the better of them though, Sarri will be one step closer to that elusive winners’ medal.

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