Maurizio Sarri reveals HOUR of crisis talks with Chelsea squad after 6-0 rout

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri [Courtesy]

Maurizio Sarri has admitted holding a lengthy meeting with his whole squad after their six-goal surrender at Manchester City.

The Chelsea boss once again suggested his men were mentally fragile ahead of Thursday’s first leg of a Europa League last-32 tie against Malmo here in Sweden.

Confirming the clear-the-air session at the Blues' Surrey training ground, Sarri said: “Of course. We talked, all together, for one hour the day after the match.

“I think that it’s better to work. Better to react on the pitch.”

Explaining their Etihad collapse, he added: “We were not able to react to the first difficulty. In the first four or five minutes, we started well. Then, after the first goal, we were not able to react.

“So the problem is different. But it’s always a mind problem, a mental problem, so we need to solve them.”

Once again, his comments raised eyebrows, as this squad has won dozens of trophies between them — either for Chelsea, other clubs or both.

Sarri has admitted holding a lengthy meeting with his whole squad after their six-goal surrender [Courtesy]

Asked to elaborate in his pre-Malmo press conference, Sarri added: “Sometimes, as the match in Tottenham in the Premier League (showed), we had not the right approach. The right determination.

“This match, in my opinion, was different. We had very good training during the week. We arrived at the match with the right level of motivation. Then we conceded a goal after five minutes and were not able to do anything.”

Uncertainty continues to surround Sarri’s position as he heads into a crucial run of games that could end a reign that only begin in July.

Chairman Bruce Buck watched his press conference, with the Italian as yet unable to provide any evidence that he can arrest the club’s slump.

Chelsea have lost their last four away games in all competitions without scoring a single goal — the most recent two by a combined 10-0.

They began the weekend in the top four but found themselves sixth by Sunday night and under heavy fire.

This game against Malmo is followed by Monday’s FA Cup fifth-round tie at home to Manchester United.

Another meeting with Man City, in the Carabao Cup Final at Wembley, comes six days later and is followed by a tough Premier League clash at home to Spurs.

Marcos Alonso, heavily criticised for his display at the Etihad, has been left out of the squad to face Malmo. Ruben Loftus Cheek isn't here either.

Sarri said: “Loftus is out with the same problem, his back. Maybe it’s not really serious this problem, but at the moment he’s out. I hope [he is back] for the next week and match in the FA Cup... but it was impossible for this game. I wanted Marcos to rest for the match. No physical problem.”

One potential problem Sarri was keen to head off concerned his reported comments about Blues owner Roman Abramovich.

The Chelsea boss claimed last Sunday night that he doesn’t speak to the Russian billionaire.

After those remarks caused a stir, however, Sarri clarified his position.

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