MAURIZIO SARRI has told Chelsea that they must improve their speed of passing in time for the new Premier League season.
That’s after the Blues beat Inter Milan in a penalty shoot-out in their International Champions Cup clash in Nice on Saturday.
Pedro handed Chelsea an eighth-minute lead before Roberto Gagliardini levelled after half-time.
With both sides unable to find a winner, the game was forced to penalties where Willy Caballero saved Milan Skriniar’s spot-kick before Cesar Azpilicueta gave Chelsea victory.
That was just Sarri’s second game in charge following a 1-0 win over Perth Glory – a game in which Spanish winger Pedro also scored.
Both matches have seen Chelsea dangerous in spells but clearly still adjusting.
It is expected that Sarri’s specific passing style – which worked so devastatingly for Napoli in his three seasons there – will take time to fully take effect at Stamford Bridge.
But the Italian insists he wants to see the ball moved quicker from his charges if they are to create more chances and ultimately score goals this term.
“For Jorginho, this is a normal match,” said Sarri, hailing the £57million summer signing’s effective display from midfield.
“He has technical ability but Jorginho also has a great mental speed too.
“So for this way of football, I think Jorginho is a wonderful player.
“All over the pitch though we move the ball very quickly and we moved it well tonight, but not at the right speed. You have to move the ball at a great speed on the floor.
“Otherwise we risk to play for 90 minutes with 75 per cent ball possession but without scoring. That’s what we need to improve on.”
But despite calling upon his side to work on their possession, 59-year-old boss Sarri insists he is pleased by the early performances of his team.
“I am satisfied. So far I am satisfied,” he told Chelsea’s official website.
“I am of course waiting for the other players from the World Cup to return, but the players gave me total availability.
“I am satisfied and I saw in the match some things that we have tried in the training sessions. So far, so good.”