Maurizio Sarri said he needed time to fully implement his ideas and turn Chelsea into a contending team.

“I am sure that, in two seasons, we will be able to be close to them. But I am not sure, in two seasons, we’ll be able to be better than them. When I arrived in Naples, Napoli had finished 24 points from Juventus. In the first season we ended up nine points from Juventus. In the second season it was five points and, in the third season, four points. For us it was impossible for us to cover completely the gap but we were very close to doing it," said Sarri.

Chelsea are currently appealing a two-window transfer ban. Sarri said he can still improve the side without transfers.

“Of course, with the market, it’s better. But we can improve without the market too.”