Chelsea assistant Gianfranco Zola backed Maurizio Sarri, saying that the Italian manager is implementing subtle changes in the team.

“We are adjusting a few things, understanding that this is the Premier League, but without changing where we want to go. The direction is always the same. I know there are questions about what we’re doing, a lot of doubts, but we are adapting to the league. But we don’t change what we believe is good for this club because, otherwise, we are nothing. What we’re trying to do is ambitious in a competitive league, and it’s not easy," said Zola.

Zola added that Sarri will adapt to the league as Pep Guardiola did.

"People were probably asking the same questions of Pep Guardiola. Asking if he’d keep playing out from the back all the time. He said that was not under discussion and was just part of his game, even in difficult moments. Maybe he adapted. He has improved a lot in that respect because he got his team defending, pressing and attacking better. He has adjusted something, but not the way he saw football. You have to admire what Pep has done. Certainly he’s a good inspiration: not everything comes together straight away.”