Maurizio Sarri says he would give up everything to win with Chelsea in his first interview as manager

With former manager Antonio Conte having released a statement yesterday that noticeably did not mention owner Roman Abramovich or members of the club’s board, his successor gave a first interview in which he outlined his ambitions for the job.

Sarri, though, did not address the key internal uncertainties that currently surround the futures of Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois, who are both yet to agree contract extensions amid interest from Real Madrid. Chelsea still plan to start next season with Hazard, who has two years left on his contract, and there are also doubts over whether Real Madrid would match a valuation beyond the £200 million world record fee for Neymar. Courtois has been offered a new £200,000-a-week deal but is yet to extend a contract that expires next year.

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Asked why he has chosen to leave Napoli and move to England, Sarri said that Chelsea’s status within world football’s strongest domestic league had been the decisive factor.

“Five years ago I was in Italy, in Serie B,” said Sarri. “Chelsea is one of the most important clubs, in the most important championship in Europe. In the Premier League, there are all the most important coaches in Europe, maybe the world. It will be very exciting to play against [Pep] Guardiola, to play against [Mauricio] Pochettino, to play against [Jose] Mourinho, to play against [Jurgen] Klopp. I want to play at Stamford Bridge; for me it is a dream.”

Sarri’s arrival has already been instrumental in the £50 million signing of Jorginho, his former midfielder at Napoli who was also wanted by Guardiola’s Manchester City, and he expects the Italy midfielder to help Chelsea change their style. “With one or two adjustments we can try to play my football,” said Sarri. “The players must enjoy it. Jorginho is not a physical player, he is a technical player, but the most important quality is that he is very quick in the mind. He has the ability to move the ball very quickIy.  I want to play my football, I want to enjoy myself, I want also to win something. It’s 100 hard work, 90 per cent fun. I would surely give all my possessions to win something with Chelsea.”

Asked about his passions out of football, Sarri said: “I like very much to read novels. I like very much some writers. The last one that I loved was Vargas Llosa.”

Conte left Chelsea last week despite winning  both the Premier League and the FA Cup in his two seasons as manager and, although there were no parting shots in a gracious statement, there was also no specific mention of his employers.

“I would like to thank all of my friends at Chelsea Football Club for their hard work and support over the past two seasons which enabled us to win the Premier League and FA Cup together,” said Conte.

“To the players, whose talent and commitment was so important to our successes, I thank them for everything. It has been a pleasure working with them every day.

"It was fantastic for me to be able to show my emotions, passion and enthusiasm throughout two unforgettable seasons with these amazing Chelsea supporters, who will always stay in my heart. I hope Chelsea will continue to be successful.”