Maurizio
Sarri insists it would not be a failure if Chelsea failed to seal Champions
League qualification this season.
The Blues head coach is confident in Chelsea's quest to seal a spot in
Europe's top-tier competition next term - either through a top-four Premier
League finish or with Europa League glory.
Sarri's future in charge at Stamford Bridge remains in doubt, but ahead of
Sunday's pivotal meeting with Manchester United, live on Sky Sports Premier
League, believes he has taken Chelsea forward since his appointment last
summer.
With three games remaining in the league campaign, Chelsea - who reached the
Carabao Cup final - sit fourth, one point ahead of Arsenal and three clear
of United.
Asked if it would be a failure for Chelsea to miss out on next season's
Champions League, Sarri said: "No. No, we played a final. We lost the final
on penalties. We are in the semi-final in the Europa League. We are fighting
for the top four. So the season, at the moment, is good.
"Of course we have two very, very strong targets: we want the top four in
the Premier League and, at the moment, we want to go to the final of the
Europa League.
"If we are able to get to the final, then we will want to win the final. And
so I think the season is, at the moment, good. Of course, a very difficult
season."
Maurizio Sarri has admitted Chelsea must not lose against Manchester United
on Sunday, a match the head coach says is "more than important".
Sarri questioned his players' determination following defeats against
Arsenal and Bournemouth in January and the 60-year-old has described his
squad's progress as a good first step.
"We lost in the wrong way two or three matches, so the feeling, sometimes,
is worse," he added.
"I think for this reason because we lost two or three matches in the wrong
way, in a very wrong way, without fighting.
"But if you look at the season, we are doing well, I think.
"Of course, it's only the first step. We need to improve more. We need to
become competitive for the top. The first step, though, is good."
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