We all went into yesterday’s game knowing that, more or less, Maurizio Sarri’s job was on the line.
As we approach this final run of fixtures, opening with three easier Premier League games, Sarri’s objective – reach the Champions League places – is clear. It won’t be easy, and may not even be possible. But it had to start with three points at Cardiff, however it was going to finish.
So the fact that the manager rested Eden Hazard and N’Golo Kante after their international appearances was really jaw dropping. Whether or not the players needed to sit a game out – and it’s true that they both played twice in the week and have a huge number of games under their belt – the fact that Sarri had the minerals to take them out of the side was really astonishing.
Effectively, he was resting players for games he might not even be around to manage. Like him or not, you have to admire that self confidence, if nothing else.
Some have speculated this is the beginning of a Jose Mourinho style campaign to get a sacking and a payoff. We’re not so sure – we believe this is genuinely how he is.
