Chelsea

Antonio Rudiger hails "perfectionist" Maurizio Sarri

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 01 September 2018

Chelsea centre-back Antonio Rudiger reveals that Maurizio Sarri "expects a lot" from each of his Chelsea players, but is happy with life under the Italian boss.

Antonio Rudiger has talked up the impact made by Maurizio Sarri at Stamford Bridge, describing the new Chelsea manager as a "perfectionist".

The Blues have played three and won three under the 59-year-old in the Premier League since he was brought in to replace Antonio Conte during the summer.

Sarri is famed for his aggressive and attacking style of play from Napoli, and centre-back Rudiger - used in every minute of Chelsea's league campaign this term - sees comparisons with another Italian boss in Roma's Luciano Spalletti.

"It's nice to play under him. He expects a lot from everyone. He likes ball possession. He expects everyone to play and receive the ball," the German told Chelsea's official website. "His philosophy is always to control the game and be ahead of the game.

"This coach works similar to the coach I had in Rome, Luciano Spalletti. They are quite similar, a lot of tactics and tactics in the way of offensive defending. I like it.

"Off the pitch he likes to laugh. He is easy going. On the pitch he is very focused. I would say he is a perfectionist! For us it's important that so far we won all the games.

"We are improving. It's not easy with a new coach, everything new, we need to adapt very quickly, especially in England, but we are doing well."

Sarri could become the fourth Chelsea manager to win his first four matches in charge of the Blues when facing Bournemouth on Saturday, joining Jose Mourinho, Guus Hiddink and Carlo Ancelotti in achieving that feat.