Maurizio Sarri has attempted to explain the bizarre starting eleven which he has fielded against Cardiff City this afternoon.
With Chelsea desperately needing three points in our quest for Champions League qualification, we expected to see a full-strength team take to the field today.
Instead, Sarri has left Eden Hazard and N’Golo Kante on the bench, as well as once again refusing to give Callum Hudson-Odoi an opportunity to impress.
Naturally, we were bemused after seeing the team. Why would Sarri field such an obviously weak and precarious team in a potentially significant game?
READ MORE: Team news: Stubborn Sarri sticks Hudson-Odoi back among the substitutes
READ MORE: Opposition manager believes Hudson-Odoi deserves to start for Chelsea
READ MORE: These fans react to Chelsea’s peculiar, CHO-less starting eleven
Well, we now have our explanation, and Sarri has revealed during an interview with Sky Sports that he is resting the players who were used over the international break.
Maurizio Sarri explains his team selection as Eden Hazard, N'Golo Kante and Callum Hudson-Odoi all start on the bench in Cardiff.
More: https://t.co/jbI7BWlKx1 pic.twitter.com/pnKTBHhnj3
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 31, 2019
It seems like an incredibly peculiar time to rest players. We’re in the business end of the season now, they can rest when we’re done and our ambitions have been achieved.
