EPL: Sarri names two clubs ahead of Chelsea, identifies areas his squad needs improvement

Chelsea manager, Maurizio Sarri has named Manchester City and Liverpool as the two Premier League clubs ahead of the Blues this season after his side’s 3-0 win over Southampton on Sunday evening.

He said that the Stamford Bridge club needs to improve both defensively and offensively.

Sarri’s side are yet to be beaten in the Premier League this campaign and won their sixth Premier League game this season at St Mary’s Stadium over the weekend.

Goals from Eden Hazard, Ross Barkley and Alvaro Morata ensured victory for the West London club.

“I think we can do better, they had two or three opportunities. We can do better, especially defensively,” Sarri was quoted by Metro UK as saying at post-match.

“We need to be in control of the match, we can do better in the defensive and sometimes offensive phase.

“Today we did wrong in two or three counter attacks. I think we have the possibility to improve.”

Sarri, who replaced former Chelsea boss, Antonio Conte in the summer, also reiterated his belief that his team will struggle to close the gap on City and Liverpool this season.

“It’s the same that I thought one week ago,” Sarri added.

“I think Manchester City and Liverpool are a step forward.

“We need to recover the gap. Now we are trying to cover the gap and we are working on that. I think it will be very difficult to cover so large a gap in one season.”

Sarri’s men will take on Manchester United in their next Premier League fixture.