Former Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina has revealed how 'Sarri-ball' can be successful in English football.
Maurizio Sarri made the switch from Napoli to Chelsea last summer, but the famed 'Sarri-ball' is yet to really take shape in west London and there's questions about how much longer he will get to implement his ideas.
One person who is very familiar with the Italian's style of play is Reina - having played under the Blues head coach at the Stadio San Paolo - and he's revealed why Roman Abramovich should stick with Sarri.
"I really enjoyed playing under Sarri," Reina told The Independent. "I consider myself good at it [playing the ball out as a goalkeeper to build the play]. It depends on the philosophy of the manager and the team.
"Sarri uses it more than others because he likes to be able to exploit a good goalkeeper who has feet like that.
"At some point, it [Sarriball] came natural to us, we played this way even blind. He just wants you to be brave on the ball and eventually it came natural.
"It’s all about executing: every League requires a different approach and in England the rhythm is different. In Italy they are tactically better and stronger, better positioned.”
"Sarri is a very complete manager. He is so cynical with every detail, every detail counts.
"It’s not just that [focusing on playing Sarriball]. It can turn you crazy because he likes to think about football 24 hours per day."
Despite criticism over his style of play as well as links to Juventus, Sarri has met his target set at the start of the season; ensuring the Blues are back in the Champions League next season and could also win a trophy.
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