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Chelsea news: Sarri will make big decision because of Liverpool and Man City - Hoddle
CHELSEA boss Maurizio Sarri will continue to play a strong team throughout this season’s Europa League because he does not think his team can win the Premier League.
That is the opinion of former Chelsea midfielder and manager Glenn Hoddle.
Sarri only made five changes for the opening Europa League Group L match away to PAOK this evening.
Eden Hazard was rested completely, with regular starters Cesar Azpilicueta and Olivier Giroud dropping to the bench.
Hoddle was not pleased with the team selection, saying he wished youngsters such as Callum Hudson-Odoi or Ethan Ampadu, or the more experienced Ruben Loftus-Cheek, were given a chance.
I think he’ll look at City and possibly Liverpool as a little bit further down the line
But he reckons the reason behind Sarri’s decision was he feels Manchester City and Liverpool are a long way ahead of them in the race for the Premier League title.
That is despite Chelsea currently sitting top of the table with five wins from five.
“I think Sarri will take it very important,” Hoddle said on BT Sport.
“I think he will have one eye on the round of 32, when the Champions League teams drop in there.
“I’ve got a feeling that he’s thinking ‘are we ready to win the Premier League this year?’.
“I think he’ll look at City and possibly Liverpool as a little bit further down the line.
“So yes, top four is on the agenda, but I think he will take this competition serious.
“Last year when he was with Napoli, he wanted the Italian league, he rested people for the Europa.
“I think he will be a little bit more serious about Chelsea doing well.
“And it’s still early in the season, he still wants to bed down that time.
"He hasn’t had it that long.”