Sarri speaks about his regret over Kante

Maurizio Sarri has admitted he regrets not resting N’Golo Kante against Watford.

The French midfielder went off after 11 minutes of the game at Stamford Bridge, where the Blues won 3-0 and sealed a top-four finish.


He is set to miss the Europa League match against Eintracht Frankfurt and the last Premier League game of the season Leicester.

Speaking at his post-match press conference, manager Sarri said: “The problem is his hamstring. We must wait until tomorrow but I think it’s difficult to recover him for the next two matches.

“We want him to play the final so we will try to recover him for that. I think I made a mistake, because today he probably had to rest.

“It is difficult to put an important player like Kante on the bench but I have to say I made a mistake.”

Sarri was also asked about Gary Cahill, who is leaving at the end of the season after seven years at Stamford Bridge.

The former England defender was given a great reception when brought on by Sarri in the final minutes against Watford.

Sarri said: “It was his last match for Chelsea, so it was important for him to be on the pitch, only for a few minutes but I still think it was really very important for the fans and for him.

“Here, Gary won everything. And so I think he had to say goodbye to the stadium, to the fans, to the club.”