Jürgen Klopp is very impressed by how quickly Maurizio Sarri has implemented his playing philosophy at Chelsea
Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp believes Chelsea are being overlooked as serious contenders for the Premier League title.
Klopp’s side will face Chelsea twice in four days this week, hosting them in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, live on Sky Sports, before travelling to Stamford Bridge to face them in the Premier League on Saturday evening.
Liverpool have made a perfect start to the season, winning six from six, but Chelsea sit just two points behind them, in joint second alongside Manchester City.
It is Klopp’s Liverpool side that most view as the most likely contenders to topple champions City, but the German is surprised that Chelsea have not featured more in the discussion.
Paul Merson has echoed Maurizio Sarri’s assessment that Chelsea are a year away from full strength but believes Man City should be the target, not Liverpool
Klopp said. “I know that people always are talking about – I don’t know exactly why – Man City being clear or us being champion at the end of the season or whatever but they completely forgot Chelsea.
“This team is experienced. They have won the title already, 80 per cent probably twice and they know how it works.
“That is a really good group, a really strong football team.”
Chelsea’s strong start to the season is made more impressive by the fact Maurizio Sarri did not take over as manager until July 14, following Antonio Conte’s protracted departure.
That gave him limited time to implement his philosophy – which Klopp is a big fan of – with key players such as Willian, Olivier Giroud, N’Golo Kante and Eden Hazard among the late arrivals back to training following the World Cup.
But Chelsea have so far shown no ill effects from their shortened pre-season and Klopp has been impressed with the Blues’ displays.
Chelsea’s Eden Hazard says it is “easy to say” Maurizio Sarri is a great manager but “we will see” when the team is not winning games
“It is the biggest change of system I ever saw in such a short period of time,” Klopp admitted. “Wow. Style completely [changed]. What a manager he is.
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“I am a supporter of him since I saw them playing at Naples. That was outstanding football and now he is doing it with a very interrupted pre-season, without a lot of players involved.
“Okay, Chelsea were maybe a bit fortunate with their players but Eden [Hazard] was not involved or [Olivier] Giroud so a few players were out.
“Starting the season, you see immediately the impact. [He has] all my respect. It is really good to watch.
“Good job so far, I have to say.”
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