'Hard Not To Feel Sorry For Sarri'  (Sky Sports)

Sky Sports' Paul Gilmour reflects on a Cobham press conference when Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri's future was just about the only discussion point.

"No paparazzi," joked Eden Hazard as the Belgian made his way onto the Cobham training pitch flanked by Olivier Giroud and N'Golo Kanté.

That proved to be a rare light moment as serious face after serious face appeared for Chelsea's pre-Malmo session - Willian politely said hello to the waiting journalists but will there soon be a significant goodbye?

The queue of traffic upon arrival at Cobham was perhaps a sign that Maurizio Sarri would be in demand, with the media room already full of camera crews an hour before the news conference was due to start.

February was always going to prove a testing month for the Blues but a 6-0 defeat at Manchester City and the FA Cup exit at home to Manchester United, when Chelsea's supporters made their feelings clear, has been cause for concern in the corridors of power at Stamford Bridge.

The way the club has dealt with a struggling manager during the Roman Abramovich era has ensured an increased level of scrutiny towards the man in the hot seat, although the club will point to the 15 major trophies won in that period.

It was hard not to feel sorry for Sarri, who cast a forlorn figure as he entered the press conference to face the most uncomfortable line of questioning since his arrival in west London.

As Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger pointed out in the very same room, it wasn't so long ago this team began the season on an 18-match unbeaten run in all competitions, with only defeat to Spurs on 24 November denting their progress.

"It's not a tactical aspect, in my view. It's confidence," Rudiger told the massed media.

Fast forward almost three months and defeats to Wolves, Leicester and Arsenal combined with their February form left Sarri, although downbeat, performing his media duties with the steely determination of a man keen to get in and out of the packed room as quickly as possible.

The former Napoli boss was punctual as he arrived at the scheduled time of 1pm and, with the media session open to all broadcast and written journalists, he answered questions for just over 11 minutes.

How can you fix it?

Will you change anything tactically?

Is now the time for Kanté to return to the position he won league titles in?

Have you spoken to Roman Abramovich or Marina Granovskaia?

Are you surprised the fans have not been more patient?

Is it normal for Bruce Buck to be mixing with the players?

Are you confident you will be a success long-term at Chelsea?

The only non future related question was about team news. Kepa Arrizabalaga (hamstring) and Pedro (stomach ache) are doubtful for the upcoming matches, which include a Carabao Cup final against City and a league game against Spurs.

Sarri admitted he was unsure if he'd be given the chance to continue long term but confirmed he will persist with his system.

Instead, he's keen to cut out mistakes and improve the mentality of players but is time on his side?

Outside, the Italian arrived for training deep in conversation with Gonzalo Higuain. He needs the Argentine striker, and all his players, to deliver soon to prevent what is often the case at Chelsea...the inevitable goodbye.