Sarri backs Morata, hints at Kovacic’s Chelsea debut against Arsenal

Mateo Kovacic is likely to make his Chelsea debut off the bench when Arsenal visit Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Saturday.

The Croatia midfielder was not involved in last weekend’s 3-0 win at Huddersfield Town after signing on loan from Real Madrid on deadline day.

Cesc Fabregas also sat out the opening weekend and will miss the Arsenal match with a minor, “unusual” injury close to his knee.

His unavailability coupled with the midweek loan departure of Tiemoue Bakayoko to AC Milan means Maurizio Sarri is set to call on Kovacic.

“I think Mateo will be very useful for us. He’s a very technical player,” Sarri told reporters.

“In this moment he has to work. I think he’s not ready now for 90 minutes, but maybe tomorrow for 30 minutes he could be used.

“I think he can play in any of the three positions in midfield. He’s a very good offensive player, but he has improved in the defensive phase in the last two years in Madrid.

“I expect a lot from him because, for me, he’s a very great player. In my opinion, he can improve more.”

88% – Among players to attempt 30+ dribbles in La Liga in 2017-18, Mateo Kovacic’s 88% dribble success rate was the best of any player in the competition. Talent. pic.twitter.com/kK0N3zOeuc

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 9, 2018
Alvaro Morata appears set to hold his place despite an underwhelming display against Huddersfield.

The striker, who netted 11 league goals last season, has the backing of his head coach to find form.

“I am not worried about Morata. Morata is a very great player,” Sarri said. “I think that, in this moment, he needs only to gain confidence.

“He needs to score as all the strikers in the world do. He needs to gain confidence, but he’s improving so I’m not really worried about him.”