Chelsea’s “deadwood” players brought Maurizio Sarri’s Sarriball its first trophy
Chelsea’s players did what they have a habit of doing and won a major trophy this week. For a squad disrespected by Maurizio Sarri’s biggest fans, they sure took good care of him.
One of the many fact-resistant narratives around Chelsea this season deals with the quality and ability of the current players. In an attempt to protect and defend Maurizio Sarri’s shortcomings, the usual segments of the Chelsea fanbase demean the current squad in an attempt to brainwash other fans into believing the club struggled to perform this season because the squad simply isn’t “good enough.”
Some go so far as to back their argument up with “look at Sarri’s Napoli squad!” hoping we swallow the banter that Sarri’s Napoli squad is “miles ahead” of this Chelsea team.
This, unsurprisingly, flowed from the “role” narrative: the “Allan role” instead of N’Golo Kante, the “Hamsik role” instead of Ruben Loftus-Cheek or Mateo Kovacic, and a lot of other non-comparisons using Napoli players as the standard.
Needless to say, this is a silly thought process.
Many fans have called the current Chelsea players “deadwood”, comparing them unfavorably to their predecessors under Sarri in Naples. Nothing could be farther from reality.
Maurizio Sarri knew he would have better players to work with at Chelsea, which partially explains why he took the job. The Europa League trophy is proof that, whatever Sarri enjoyed with his Napoli squad, it is nothing compared to what he is enjoying with Chelsea’s.
Why? Serial winners. Maurizio Sarri inherited a lot of things when he took the Chelsea job, but he also inherited serial winners. You have to be good to be a serial winner. Sarri inherited a team that could not help but win.
With Chelsea, it’s win, then – maybe – play with style. Not the other way around.
Beating Arsenal 4-1 in the final is just the same as beating them 1-0. Both results get you the Europa League trophy. The thing with serial winners is how they can break through tactics and game plans and figure out how to solve the most important objective of every game: winning.
A coach’s game plan will not always work. While some coaches need a Plan B, Chelsea coaches always have a Plan B: the players. The Blues are the ultimate safety net for the coach, and that’s the difference between this club and most others, including Napoli.
still true. No more Hamsik and Allan: Maurizio Sarri must define this Chelsea squad. light
Too many Chelsea fans are crediting Sarri with the equivalent of figuring out a way to transport gold with paper planes. “Wow! It’s a miracle that he was able to win anything with this squad at all.” What these “deadwood” peddlers do their best to avoid saying is that in three years at Napoli, Sarri never reached a cup final. In his first year at Stamford Bridge, he reached two and won one.
It is not coincidence that Sarri won his first major trophy ever with this Chelsea squad. Some fans seem to think that players are bad just because they say they are.
Next. Chelsea players and fans deserve Maurizio Sarri's heart after Europa League title. dark
Am I downplaying Sarri’s achievements? No. Am I calling out those that are trying to downplay the players’ achievements to elevate Sarri? Why yes. Yes I am. These narratives are the real deadwood around the club.