New Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri met the press today and some of his quotes suggest good news for Blues fans in the transfer market.
The Italian tactician just replaced Antonio Conte as Chelsea manager after moving from Napoli, and has quickly managed to bring in Jorginho with him as his first signing.
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There could be more to follow, however, with Sarri responding to questions about the transfer market by saying the club could do with a new centre-back, as quoted by ESPN’s Chelsea correspondent Liam Twomey on Twitter.
This follows strong and lengthy speculation that CFC have been working to sign Daniele Rugani from Juventus, with the Evening Standard saying a £44.2million deal is edging closer to completion.
Sarri hints at Rugani: "I spoke with the football club and said ideally I think that a pinch of quality is lacking in our centre-backs for a certain kind of play, otherwise they are at a very high level." #cfc
— Liam Twomey (@liam_twomey) July 18, 2018
While Sarri did not name any names, he may perhaps have been hinting that there’s something behind the Rugani stories by admitting he’s had a word with the club about strengthening at the back.
In another moment that could be very good news for Chelsea fans, Sarri also spoke of his excitement at working with star player Eden Hazard, as reported on the club’s official Twitter feed, hinting perhaps that the Belgian is not as close to an exit as some reports have suggested.
He’s arrived! ? #SarriCFC
Watch live ? https://t.co/1d4VIvRSGL pic.twitter.com/2LA7rMoF4Z
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 18, 2018
Sarri says Eden Hazard is one of the top two or three European players and he is looking forward to having fun working with him in training and on matchdays. He hopes to improve our Belgian, which he says will be difficult considering he is already at such a high level! #SarriCFC
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 18, 2018
The Daily Star have mentioned Hazard as a £200m target for Real Madrid, while RMC also say the 27-year-old has agreed terms with the Spanish giants over a move, even if the clubs are yet to strike a deal.