Ian Holloway defends Maurizio Sarri for slamming ‘lazy’ Chelsea players and says there’s ‘something wrong’ with the squad

Ian Holloway defends Maurizio Sarri for slamming ‘lazy’ Chelsea players and says there’s ‘something wrong’ with the squad
Ian Holloway has criticised the Chelsea squad for being ‘lazy’ and ‘lacklustre’, while defending Blues boss Maurizio Sarri for publicly criticising his players following the defeat to Arsenal.Sarri said his players are “extremely difficult to motivate”following a dismal performance in the 2-0 loss at the Emirates on Saturday, which saw them register just one shot on target.3

Maurizio Sarri publicly slammed his players after their 2-0 defeat at Arsenal

3

Ian Holloway has defended Sarri after he labelled his players “extremely difficult to motivate”

And speaking on the Jim White Show on talkSPORT, the former QPR and Blackpool boss pulled no punches in his assessment of the current Chelsea squad – insisting the problem continues to be the players and not the manager at Stamford Bridge.The fact is they almost look lacklustre. Its always as if sometimes they need a William Wallace type talk,” he said.How many times have they done that? Theyve done it to (Jose) Mourinho, (Antonio) Conte.“Theres something wrong with the group. I watched the game, and do I agree with him (Sarri)? Yes.But is it risky? Of course. But I go back to my ultimate hero Bill Shankly and what he says about lazy players and what should happen (the clip is played out live on air).”3

The former QPR boss believes the Chelsea squad are “lazy” and “lacklustre”

Holloway believes the club have no leaders and a group of players who think about their individual needs ahead of what is collectively best for the team.He continued: Well this group of Chelsea players are lazy. They are not going about their work in the right way.(Roman) Abramovich should look at and think how many times has this happened? Where are the leaders in this group?“The Graeme Souness, the Roy Keanes and so forth.I was told years ago by senior players in that dressing room about what standards were expected from him.“Everybody leaves it now at Chelsea and just thinks of themselves and not the team.”  The 55-year-old, who is keen on a return to management himself, believes Sarri’s public outburst was a “beautiful, honest risk” and fully justified.He explained: No, Sarri is not out on a limb. Hes a very intelligent man and a mathematician.He cannot believe hes had to come out and do this. Do this lot want to win as much as he does?Youve got to be very careful how you dig people out. If its just personal on one player, a bit like Mourinho was on (Luke) Shaw – that was a bit personal – maybe that’s too much.(Pep) Guardiola had his problems with (Leroy) Sane earlier in the season, too.“Both players have responded to that though and shown what theyre all about.“Yes, Sarri’s taken a risk, but I think it was a beautiful, honest risk.He did it because he couldnt believe the group of players hes working with are not performing to the standards they are capable of.”Sarri will be looking for a reaction from his side on Thursday night at Stamford Bridge when the Blues take on Tottenham in the Carabao Cup,a game you can listen to live on talkSPORT.They will have to overturn a one-goal deficit from the first leg of their semi-final clash if they are to advance to the final at the expense of their London rivals.

---

The Europa League comes to a close on Wednesday with an all-English final between Chelsea and Arsenal. Chelsea will be looking to win the competition for the second time, after beating Benfica 2-1
The Chelsea and Arsenal players set to benefit from Uefa's

---

Birmingham vs Aston Villa: How to listen Full commentary from the Midlands will be live on talkSPORT 2, with our coverage getting underway shortly before 12pm. Nigel Pearson and Matt Murray will bring you all the build-up and commentary and to tune in click below or here for the live commentary stream .
Aston Villa vs Birmingham City: live stream and how to watch

---

PARIS (AP) - Luka Modric ended the long reign of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo by winning the Ballon d'Or for the first time on Monday, while another first saw Norwegian forward Ada Hegerberg
Why Lionel Messi And Not Luka Modric Should Have Won The 2018

---

Arsenal vs Manchester United: Guendouzi and Iwobi duck so fans can watch Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's penalty They went on to win the match 2-0 and moved into fourth place in the Premier League
Arsenal news: Guendouzi and Iwobi duck down so fans can see

---

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp praised Raheem Sterling for his response to the alleged racist abuse he received at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. The Reds boss argued that racist behaviour should be
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp praises Manchester City star for
sportsalert.org/2018/12/10/liverpool-boss-jurgen-klopp-praises-manchester-city-star-for-his-response-to-alleged-racial-abuse/
'right response' The England international appeared to be the victim of racial abuse during City's 2-0 defeat at Chelsea on Saturday Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp praised Raheem Sterling for his response to the alleged racist abuse he received at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Jurgen Klopp praises Man City winger Raheem Sterling for

---

Where does Chelsea 6-0 thrashing by Manchester City leave Maurizio Sarri? With his job under threat, argues BBC Sport's Phil McNulty. What next for Chelsea boss after Man City thrashing
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri refuses to shake hands with Pep

---

Liverpool are 'playing with a handbrake' on in big games, Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand says Jurgen Klopp's men are hoping to end a 29-year wait for the title by pipping Manchester

---

Manchester United news: How Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side could

---

Arsenal boss Unai Emery has revealed new signing Denis Suarez went in to train alone at the club's training ground on Monday as he looks to get up to speed following his loan move from Barcelona.
Arsenal news: Unai Emery provides hopeful transfer update on

---

PFA League One Team of the Year: Barnsley dominate with five players in Moore made the XI voted for by their fellow players. secure a place in the top six. The players will be honoured at
PFA League One Team of the Year announced

---

Frank Lampard vs John Terry: Chelsea best mates go head-to-head as Derby set up play-off final with Aston Villa The former Blues team-mates will meet for a chance at promotion to the Premier
Chelsea legends John Terry and Frank Lampard could have been

---

~ England Under-21s: Who was in the team? Who do they play for? How much first-team experience do they have? ~ Kenya Latest
England Under-21s: Who was in the team? Who do they play for

---

Gerard Deulofeu scored one of the most incredible goals the new Wembley has ever seen in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final win for Watford over Wolves. So where does it rank in Sportsmail's top 10?
Gerrard? Van Basten? Giggs? What makes the perfect goal

---