
Chelsea's
players are "deeply embarrassed" by their performance in the 6-0 defeat at
Manchester City, Sky Sports News has been told.
City ran riot at the Etihad Stadium, scoring almost at will in the first 25
minutes to take a 4-0 lead and cruising to three points without having to
hit their best in the second period.
The extent of that defeat led to talk about Maurizio Sarri's future at
Stamford Bridge but, while Sky Sports News has been told several players
have issues with the Italian's tactical approach, the majority still have
faith in him and his methods.
The relationship between the squad and Sarri, who only arrived from Napoli
last summer, is nowhere near as bad as it became under Antonio Conte last
season.
Senior Chelsea figures are concerned by recent results, with the Blues
having also lost 4-0 at Bournemouth late last month before an easy 5-0 win
over relegation-haunted Huddersfield.
But the Blues remain in three cup competitions and are still only a point
short of fourth-placed Manchester United in the race for a Champions League
place as the season reaches a crescendo.
Team meetings have been held this week, in the wake of their thrashing in
Manchester, and Sky Sports News has learned that the squad are determined to
turn their fortunes around.
Sarri is not under imminent pressure from above to make changes to his
tactics, or give more game time to young players amid criticism in some
circles over his usage of Bayern Munich target Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Any decision on Sarri's future would be made by owner Roman Abramovich and
director Marina Granovskaia, with Abramovich having had 12 different
permanent managers since taking over in 2003.