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Chelsea news: Maurizio Sarri backed to follow Jose Mourinho by doing this with Blues
CHELSEA boss Maurizio Sarri must look at the League Cup as a big opportunity to win a trophy in his first season at the club - just how Jose Mourinho did.
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That is the opinion of Sky Sports pundit and former Liverpool and Tottenham midfielder Jamie Redknapp.
Chelsea have reached the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup after beating Derby 3-2 on Wednesday night.
The Blues will face in-form Bournemouth in the last eight at Stamford Bridge in December.
Arsenal will play north London rivals Tottenham and with Liverpool and Manchester United having already exited the competition, it could open up in Chelsea’s favour.
When Mourinho was here first of all, this was the one he wanted early.
Holders Manchester City are still involved though and will play Leicester or Southampton in the quarter-final if they beat Fulham this evening.
The League Cup was the first competition Jose Mourinho won as Chelsea boss in 2005.
The Portuguese went on the win the Premier League that same campaign to really stamp his authority on English football.
And Redknapp believes winning the Carabao Cup this season for Sarri could have a similar impact on his time at the club.
“Absolutely, it’s wide open then (when Arsenal or Tottenham exit),” Redknapp said.
“I think from Chelsea’s point of view and the players they can bring back in to the team.
“Jorginho and Eden Hazard, they’ve got a lot of great players in reserve.
“So they’ll be confident about this, they’ll look at this as a big opportunity to win their first trophy.
“When Mourinho was here first of all, this was the one he wanted early.
“That gives you the confidence for the rest of the season.
“There’s never a downside to winning any trophy.”