Sarri confirms Luiz has held new round of talks over Chelsea future
David Luiz has met Chelsea bosses over his Stamford Bridge future, Maurizio Sarri has revealed.
Brazil defender Luiz’s contract expires at the end of the season, with the 32-year-old still in talks over a new deal.
Sarri disclosed the news on Luiz after Chelsea had snatched a 1-1 Europa League semi-final first leg draw at Eintracht Frankfurt.
“I don’t know on David Luiz, I know that he had a meeting four or five days ago, but then my mind was on this match,” said Sarri.
“I didn’t ask him the result of it.”
Sarri, meanwhile, feels his side blew a big chance to take control of the tie ahead of next Thursday’s return at Stamford Bridge.
After Luka Jovic headed Eintracht into an early lead, Chelsea grew into proceedings, with Pedro levelling on the stroke of half-time.
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.@_Pedro17_'s away goal is the reward for an excellent Chelsea performance in this first leg.— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 2, 2019
The Blues were left to rue a clutch of missed chances though, with Sarri suggesting his men should have won.
“I think that we made a mistake in the first 20 minutes because my feeling was, from the bench, that we were playing only to manage the result for the nil nil,” said Sarri.
“But we are not able to do that. Then we started to play after 25 minutes and played very well until the 85th minute and deserved to win for the number of opportunities.
“We were in control of the match for 70 minutes and should have won. We deserved to win, 1-1 is not so bad away.
“But they are dangerous on the counter-attack if you give them spaces. They are very dangerous at home but they are really very dangerous away.
🔵 Pedro Rodríguez has now been directly involved in 8 goals in 12 #UEL games this season (4 goals, 4 assists) 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/3a93IZPFFZ— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) May 2, 2019
“I’ve seen Eintracht’s games in the Europa League, and they are dangerous.
“We want to go to the final but we know very well we’ll have to play a very good match next week.”
Eintracht boss Adi Hutter insisted his side can complete the job in the second leg.
“Everything is still possible,” said Hutter.
“We have to score a goal, that’s a fact, and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge will be the great favourites – that’s for sure.
All square at full-time. Eintracht ran their socks off in the second half to earn themselves a 1-1 draw. 💪#SGEuropa#12gegen11#SGECHE | 1-1 pic.twitter.com/q0vYNqWsI4— Eintracht Frankfurt (@eintracht_eng) May 2, 2019
“But after the goalless draw here against Inter, no one thought we could go to Milan and win.
“That’s how we have to act in London: be confident, brave and courageous. But I’m happy with the performance. Anything is possible.”
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