Future of Sarri yet to be decided but Chelsea chiefs baffled by one decision

Oli Fisher
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 18: Maurizio Sarri, Manager of Chelsea speaks with Eden Hazard of Chelsea during the UEFA Europa League Quarter Final Second Leg match between Chelsea and Slavia Praha at Stamford Bridge on April 18, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Chelsea chiefs were left stunned by Maurizio Sarri’s decision not to start Eden Hazard in Thursday’s Europa League semi-final first leg, a report claims.

Hazard has been sensational for the Blues this season, and is by far and away their most prolific contributor with 16 goals and 13 assists in 35 Premier League appearances.

Speculation has been rife that Real Madrid will sign him when the transfer window reopens in the summer, though the deal is apparently not entirely straightforward.

Chelsea currently occupy the all-important fourth position in the Premier League table as they try to qualify for next season’s Champions League, while they can also qualify by winning the Europa League.

However, Sarri decided not to start Hazard in their 1-1 draw in Frankfurt on Thursday night that gave them a great chance to progress with the second leg to be played at Stamford Bridge.

And The Times claim that Chelsea ‘executives were baffled and unimpressed by Maurizio Sarri’s decision not to start with Eden Hazard’ against the Bundesliga side.

Hazard did come off the bench in the 61st-minute at the Commerz-Bank Arena and Sarri’s team selection ‘raised eyebrows’ in the Chelsea boardroom.

The report adds that the ‘Chelsea’s hierarchy do not meddle in team selection and did not ask Sarri to explain himself’ but that the Italian coach’s future ‘will be decided in talks between Roman Abramovich and Marina Granovskaia at the end of the season.’

 

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