Maurizio Sarri must stop being the 'dreamer' and be Chelsea's winner against Arsenal
The Blues face Arsenal in Baku for the Europa League crown
"I am a dreamer. I want to play my football. If I'm here, it's because I am a dreamer," Maurizio Sarri said back in February.
But that is not enough for Chelsea Football Club.
The Blues under the ownership of Roman Abramovich have not been dreamers, they have been winners.
Winners who every season compete to titles, for the highest honours and for the biggest prizes. A success that is only seemingly to be caught by a hugely talented (and invested in) Manchester City side.
When Chelsea took on Antonio Conte, they knew that they were getting a manager who might ruffle some feathers, but that they were getting a champion in return.
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That is exactly how it turned out. Despite the background unrest that eventually saw them sacking the Italian and shelling out £9million in payout cash, he brought two more crowns to the impressive tally.
A Premier League title in his first season followed by FA Cup glory in his second sealed what Blues supporters already knew about the man in charge.
However, Sarri does not have that luxury with both the supporters and the board, which is why this Europa League final is more than just a game for the Italian.
Maurizio Sarri, Chelsea head coach. (Image: Albert Perez/Getty Images)
He might have won plaudits with Napoli for his style of play and pushing Juventus all the way in Serie A, but ultimately he ended up trophyless.
For a manager at a top club in Europe, winning trophies is what it eventually comes down to. Sarri has passed his main objective with the Blues, qualifying once more for the Champions League next season.
But for a manager whose future remains up in the air, credentials mean everything. Sarri is being linked heavily with a Stamford Bridge exit already, despite only serving one season of his three-year term so far.
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A perfect outcome for Chelsea and their head coach is the Serie A dominators pay out the £5-6million it would take to buy out Sarri from his current contract.
It would stop Abramovich from adding to the £90million+ fees he has already shelled out for unwanted managers, while the Blues can move on and Juventus get their replacement for Max Allegri.
While reports in Italy suggest the wheels are already in motion, if Sarri is bettered by Unai Emery's Arsenal in Baku, then questions continue to remain about the head coach.
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The Blues have already reached the Carabao Cup final this season and took City all the way to penalties. But instead of the Italian being lauded, more controversy surround the match at Wembley due to Kepa Arrizabalaga's disregard for his manager's wishes.
Whatever happens in Azerbaijan, this could be Sarri's final game in charge of the Blues.
It is a relationship that, especially with the fans, has never really got going. While he still has some believers backing him, they have massively become the minority.
For Sarri he must stop being the 'dreamer' and start becoming the winner that Chelsea needed him to be when they sacked a successful boss to make way for a somewhat unknown quantity.
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Europa League final
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