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Maurizio Sarri hoping Chelsea players have free minds ahead of Carabao Cup final

By Matt McGeehan, | 3d
Given the week Chelsea have had, Sarri will try for a relaxed build-up.

Under-pressure Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri wants to free his players' minds ahead of Sunday's Carabao Cup final with Manchester City.

Embarrassing losses at Bournemouth and City – Chelsea's heaviest defeat in 28 years – plus the negative reaction of supporters in Monday's FA Cup exit to Manchester United has ensured Sarri's position is precarious.

Chelsea beat City 2-0 on December 8, but the 6-0 loss came just two weeks prior to the final at Wembley, when Sarri will be seeking the first trophy of his managerial career.

Given the week Chelsea have had – they were unconvincing in beating Malmo in the Europa League on Thursday – Sarri will try for a relaxed build-up.

"We will prepare the match only on Saturday, I think," he said. "I didn't like our minds in the first 30 minutes (against Malmo).

"I want to see something more free. So we will prepare the match in 60 minutes, no more. But I think the quantity is not important."

Manchester City's Sergio Aguero scored a hat-trick in his side's 6-0 win over Chelsea on February 10 (Nick Potts/PA)

The quality is. Sarri maintains Chelsea can win despite the humiliating Premier League loss to Pep Guardiola's men, the holders of the League Cup.

He also pointed to the fact Chelsea are still in contention for two trophies, given the Premier League title is beyond them and they are out of the FA Cup.

Sarri said: "Of course, the Europa League for us is a very important competition. If we are able to win it, we have a spot in the Champions League.

Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is a doubt for Sunday's Carabao Cup final (Nick Potts/PA)

"I am not happy with elimination in the FA Cup, of course. But, on the other hand, I have to say it's better for us because we have to play fewer matches.

"(In the League Cup) we played at Liverpool, and had two games against Tottenham.

"(It is) important to win the final. Otherwise you are second. I think it's very important for us because we have to find confidence."

Kepa Arrizabalaga is a doubt for the game with a hamstring injury, so former City goalkeeper Willy Caballero could deputise.



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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool27206159154466
2Manchester CityMan City27212474205465
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs27200755272860
4Arsenal27165655371853
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd27157552351752
6Chelsea26155645291650
7Watford2711793935440
8Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28117103535040
9Everton28106123939036
10West Ham UnitedWest Ham27106113540-536
11Leicester CityLeicester28105133439-535
12Bournemouth27104133848-1034
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2887132634-831
14Crystal Palace2786133135-430
15Burnley2886143150-1930
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2776142941-1227
17Cardiff CityCardiff2874172555-3025
18Southampton2759132846-1824
19Fulham2745182661-3517
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2835201550-3514
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool27206159154466
2Manchester CityMan City27212474205465
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs27200755272860
4Arsenal27165655371853
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd27157552351752
6Chelsea26155645291650
7Watford2711793935440
8Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28117103535040
9Everton28106123939036
10West Ham UnitedWest Ham27106113540-536
11Leicester CityLeicester28105133439-535
12Bournemouth27104133848-1034
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2887132634-831
14Crystal Palace2786133135-430
15Burnley2886143150-1930
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2776142941-1227
17Cardiff CityCardiff2874172555-3025
18Southampton2759132846-1824
19Fulham2745182661-3517
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2835201550-3514
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