Maurizio Sarri Explains Decision To Leave Alvaro Morata Out Of Chelsea’s Squad Vs Manchester City

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri said he expects Alvaro Morata to understand why he was left out of the Chelsea squad against Manchester City

Eden Hazard started as a false nine and assisted both of Chelsea’s goals as City suffered a surprise 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge that ended their unbeaten start to the Premier League season

Olivier Giroud was chosen by Sarri as the striking option on the bench, leaving Morata out of the squad completely

Alvaro Morata’s omission prompted fresh speculation about his future at Stamford Bridge, but the Chelsea boss does not believe he will face a difficult challenge to reassure the Spaniard that he remains key to Chelsea’s plans.

“But I think it’s a normal choice for this kind of match,” Sarri insisted. “I don’t know if in Brighton [next weekend] we will play in the same way or not, maybe not. I don’t know but I think that Alvaro is able to understand that it is only tactical decision, not the final choice.

“We thought [on Friday] that for the first time in the season there was the possibility to have more spaces, and so we wanted to try with Eden because for the first time there was the possibility to play in counter-attacks.

“Hazard, Pedro and Willian are really very suitable for this kind of playing, so I think it’s a normal choice. I think that it’s really a very good option and maybe we will try it again in the future, especially for some matches.”