Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta has stressed the need for unity after the club’s fans angrily turned on coach Maurizio Sarri during their game at Cardiff City.
The majority of fans that made the trip to the Welsh capital called on Sarri to be sacked while the Blues were trailing 1-0 in the second half.
Loud chants of ‘We want Sarri out’, ‘You don’t know what you’re doing’ and ‘F**k Sarri-ball’ were all clearly heard before a late comeback secured an unlikely 2-1 win.
Despite struggling for consistency, Chelsea are now just one point behind third-placed Tottenham and still have a great chance of qualifying for the Champions League via a top-four finish.
Azpilicueta said: “In the bad moments we have to be all together. We know, and I feel, that we are all in the same boat and we push in the same direction. We are the first ones to not be happy with the way we are playing. The last couple of games we have lost a lot of points, especially away from home.
“I know the fans want us to win and when the results are not there, we are all responsible. They showed their thoughts, but our job is to keep working hard. We showed great spirit in the last 10 minutes because that is only the second time we have come from behind to win, both times have been against Cardiff. Now we have two massive games at home, where we have to take all six points.”
Chelsea entertain Brighton on Wednesday before facing London rivals West Ham at home next Monday.
Azpilcueta admits the squad have a huge role to play in making sure there is not more anger directed at Sarri.
“We have to give [the fans] what they expect,” he said. “On Wednesday, starting from the first minute, we have to create an atmosphere on the pitch. I know the fans will be behind us, but we have to give them fighting spirit, great football, goals. It’s what they want, it’s what we want and we have to go in the same direction.”
Chelsea team-mate Antonio Rudiger did not blame the away support for showing their displeasure.
“I didn’t hear the chants, but I can understand that they are [frustrated] because they are hoping for better, hoping for more,” he said. “We were sloppy, but to see them go home happy is the key. We definitely have to build on this.”
