Maurizio Sarri definitely sounds like the cool teacher.
It has become clear that several Chelsea players were not the biggest fans of Antonio Conte during his time in charge at Stamford Bridge.
Willian has admitted that he would have left Chelsea if Conte had remained at the helm but now that Maurizio Sarri has taken over, it sounds like the squad will be much happier.
Sarri’s first Premier League game resulted in a 3-0 victory for the Blues and he’s proving to be a much more easy-going presence at the club.
The chain-smoking Italian has reportedly relaxed two rules that were put into place by Conte in recent years.
Conte was adamant that his matchday squad should meet up the night before home games and stay at the Chelsea Harbour hotel but not everyone was happy about that rule.
The Telegraph reports that Sarri is comfortable with players staying in their own beds the night before home games, which will likely make him much more popular among the players.
It’s also reported that Sarri has loosened rules on players’ diets in the build-up to games because Conte’s strict nutrition rules didn’t endear himself to many at the club.
Sarri will be hoping that the improved mood in the dressing room will lead to a better season than the 2017/18 campaign, when Chelsea’s immediate title defence saw them finish in fifth place in the Premier League.
