Chelsea’s choice: Play pragmatically and seal the top four, or play Sarriball

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 03: N'golo Kante of Chelsea is tackled by Floyd Ayite of Fulham during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Chelsea FC at Craven Cottage on March 03, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 03: N'golo Kante of Chelsea is tackled by Floyd Ayite of Fulham during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Chelsea FC at Craven Cottage on March 03, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /
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Chelsea are very close to achieving a top-four spot in the Premier League. However, they are just as close to losing it. The Blues should focus on playing pragmatic football, not “Sarri-ball.”

Chelsea came out victorious in the London derby against Fulham, but this was not a perfect win by any means. The game was open, right to the very last minute when Fulham had a goal disallowed for offsides. Had that goal counted, Sunday would have been a huge step backwards for the club, and possibly the end of Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea.

Nevertheless, this performance was a perfect example of what Sarri has been doing the entire season. There was no conviction in the attack, just simple passing in the middle of the park, leaving the defense open in a lot of areas. Should this continue, Chelsea will be closer to losing out on top four than achieving it.

Although this was the right result, in the grand scheme of things, it did not feel like the Blues won the match. Chelsea were too open in the counter attack, allowing Fulham to destroy the midfield and get past the defense with four or fewer passes.

This happened because Sarri reverted back to his usual “Sarriball” formation and tactics. The team maintains the ball in the midfield and slowly progresses towards the final third. Once they arrive at the opposition’s box, they are forced to pass the ball back to their half.

This isn’t anything new. Not for the fans, the players nor Sarri. After all, he saw himself the difference in performances when the team played against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final and against Spurs in the Premier League. Those two games were prime examples of what Chelsea can do by having a solid defensive formation.

Sarri insists on playing N’Golo Kante in the box-to-box midfield position. Much of the time he is the only midfielder actually going forward for Chelsea, but this takes him out of the play going the other way. This mistake has cost the team many points.

Against Fulham, Jorginho and Ross Barkley were stuck together in the center, hardly moving forward to create a threat. Although they were both cautious and diligent in coming back to defend, there is no comparison between what Kante can do to retrieve the ball or intercept a pass and what Jorginho and Barkley do.

The Jorginho – Barkley combination was a prime example of how Sarri’s midfield leaves the defense vulnerable to counter-attacks or quick passing football.

During the Carabao Cup final and the game against Spurs, Kante was arguably the best player on the field. He pressed high, intercepted crucial passes and made some last-minute tackles to stop the opposition.

If Sarri wants to stay at Chelsea, he needs to understand that Kante must remain in the defensive midfielder role where he excels so much. Obviously, he is also great at pressing the opposition and retrieving the ball high up the field. But at this point of the season, Chelsea need a solid wall at the back so they do not concede any goals. Keeping N’Golo Kante in a defensive role will ensure better results and more freedom for everyone else.

Winning games by one goal is fine, especially so late in the season. But there is a difference between winning by one goal and always being in control of the match, and winning by one goal and knowing the opposition can score at any given moment.

If Chelsea cannot score more than two goals a game, they have to be sure they do not concede.

As it stands, Chelsea are in a great position to regain a spot in the top four. Although this depends on Arsenal and Manchester United dropping points, the Blues are more than capable of doing it.

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However, it will all fall on Maurizio Sarri’s tactics and whether he values that final outcome over “his” football.