Chelsea news: Maurizio Sarri aims dig at former players and can’t wait to manage Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus

Maurizio Sarri has dubbed Chelsea a team of individuals.

The 60-year-old quit the Blues to take over at Juventus and in his native Italy and was speaking for the first time since his appointment.

Maurizio Sarri is looking forward to working with Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus

Sarri won the Europa League and secured a third place Premier League finish for Chelsea, but a section of fans turned on him during his one season at the club.

And the Blues’ campaign was not without controversy, as the manager had a huge bust-up with Kepa Arrizabalaga when the goalkeeper refused to be substituted in the club’s Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City.

Speaking to reporters at his unveiling as Juventus manager, Sarri said: “Chelsea is a team made up of players, probably who have a higher technical level but with individual characteristics.

“They have players who play on the flank, want to play one v ones so from that point of view, the football they play is less fluid, less smooth.

“Compared to Napoli where they could all play well [together], at Chelsea there were seven or eight players playing individualistically.

“They were effective, solid and that was not so easy to defeat.”

Juve’s sporting director, Fabio Paratici explained Sarri was the club’s first choice to replace Massimiliano Allegri.

“We tried from the very beginning to make him understand that we truly wanted him,” he explained.

“Allegri leaves a heavy legacy,” Sarri added. “Winning what he won is very difficult, he achieved extraordinary results and I would like to see in the team the same ability to get past the difficulties that he was able to help them do so.”

The boss also explained managing Juventus is the crowning achievement in a career that has taken in a host of Italian sides, including Empoli and Napoli, and is already looking ahead to a season coaching some of the best players in the world.

“At Chelsea I trained many strong players, but to coach Cristiano Ronaldo is emotional, because it a step forward. I would like to help him to break even more records. When a player has the quality like Paulo Dybala and Cristiano Ronaldo, they can play in any role. The only thing that can change is the interpretation of the role.”