Maurizio Sarri has expressed hope, rather than conviction, that Chelsea will be at their best at Manchester City on Sunday.
There has been a nine-goal swing in Chelsea's last two performances.
A 4-0 loss at Bournemouth - Chelsea's worst in the Premier League since September 1996 - was followed by a 5-0 win over bottom club Huddersfield.
Chelsea's formation and tactics under Sarri have been predictable - a 4-3-3 line-up, focused on possession - but the results and performances have been anything but.
'In the last match, we reacted really very well,' Sarri said.
'After the match against Huddersfield, I was really very happy with the result, especially with the performance.
'Now we know very well we need consistency. I hope our version on Sunday will be the best.'
Chelsea are unbeaten in seven fixtures against the defending champions, having ended City's 21-match unbeaten run in the league on December 8.
Sarri appears to have taken advice from City boss Pep Guardiola on focusing on 14 players in his first season in English football.
Guardiola endured a challenging first season, in 2016-17, when Antonio Conte's Chelsea won the title and his side finished third.
Sarri says City's patient approach was rewarded, with City's remarkable title success last season built on recruitment and following Guardiola's approach.
The 60-year-old Italian may not have the pedigree of the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss, but he hopes he gets similar time at Chelsea, not a club renowned for patience.
Sarri said: 'You are more competitive in the market, or you have to work. I don't know another way.
'I think we need only to work and we have to try to reduce the gap because at the moment there is a gap.
'Here it's really very difficult. The Premier League is very competitive. It's not easy to win, it's not easy to get (into) the Champions League.
'We need to work, but I think they (City) are an example for every club.'
Donbsyz
1
the is that sarri can't help Chelsea... let that man go now or he will finish Chelsea.. send him away now is not late...let's do him like Jose..or else Chelsea will not see top 4..
Luckystonegh
0
today match bi today paaaaa tell man city to bring along ship to collect their goal
AlexBrant
1
chelsea all the way💪✌
Bluesforlife
1
Take Jorghino out for once and we may have a chance to change tactics.
Abbawaziri
2
I still have the believe that Sarri will succeed at Chelsea and if he can atleast finish top4 then win a trophy i can assure this is a start to his success and let’s not forget pep Guardiola didn’t win any trophy in his first season with City so exercise patient Chelsea.
Foodkmptu
1
Prophetic Word. It's a Liverpool year. They are winning the league the rest are just bridesmaids and grooms..Man will be a flower girl for this one..
Stonkywhyz
0
Unfortunately Chelsea is not Man City or Man Utd who exercise patience on their managers to deliver. being a Chelsea or Real M. manager means u'll have to carry ur magic wand along with u to perform some kind of magic with immediate effect or risk losing ur job.
Pls take united out of the picture.... do u know how many coach that have come in and gone after sir Alex Ferguson.... no coach have stayed in a club longer than sir Alex and wenger
Pedilmuy
2
Sari cannot call for consistency in his team performance. He is the one who should make it happen.
TVWALE
0
That’s is because there’s faults among the players that needs to be addressed, but the way he delivers is what matters.
yea he don't talk to players well that's even hazard is not certain on staying
lekana_12
1
sarri is really turning into Mourinho always finding fault in players instead or concentrating on his job
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That’s is because there’s faults among the players that needs to be addressed, but the way he delivers is what matters.
Chima92
1
Unfortunately Chelsea is not Man City or Man Utd who exercise patience on their managers to deliver. being a Chelsea or Real M. manager means u'll have to carry ur magic wand along with u to perform some kind of magic with immediate effect or risk losing ur job.
Jaailnsuy
2
chelsea Hagu leysato
Affancfceh10
0
Chelsea will lose though and will go to hell number 5 where Chelsea belong
CHELSEA PROBABLY WILL NOT LOSE AND WILL REMAIN IN THE 3RD PLACE.
TVWALE
1
sarri is really turning into Mourinho always finding fault in players instead or concentrating on his job
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but sarri too should think positive and motivate players and stop those things
davidcheetos
0
Chelsea will lose though and will go to hell number 5 where Chelsea belong
Please come back to this article after the weekend, then you can talk about top 4.
Vezonic22
3
And I hope that consistency Sarri wants help defeat ManCity tomorrow. Can the players deliver? Will they upset the champions? Let's see whether the team will heed the advice.
kelvinkasyoki
1
he needs time and patience
youdekmoz
2
sarri is really turning into Mourinho always finding fault in players instead or concentrating on his job
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He is not wrong at all. Chelsea players play like they are the best team in the world for few games and then they disappear
TVWALE
2
sarri is really turning into Mourinho always finding fault in players instead or concentrating on his job
vemckmps
3
- Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri deserves time and trust from the club to iron out flaws in his possession-based playing style and make the club consistent again..
SINGAM23
5
Beneath Mastery lives Consistency
davyquan
1
Chelsea will lose though and will go to hell number 5 where Chelsea belong
chidesco1
3
The likes of barkley and Marcos Alonso and Willian and david luiz have been on and off this season. Why others,like giroud have been totally off. They need some level of consistency to be able to keep pace in that top 4 battle.
lukzlat910
2
In other words he's calling in the players to smoke with him??
Itzfreeboy
3
For sure 🔝🔝🔝🙏