Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri gets dog-sitter for beloved pet pooch Ciro ahead of hectic Christmas schedule
The Blues face six matches in just 17 days over the festive season but the manager has ensured his best friend gets plenty of exercise
CHELSEA boss Maurizio Sarri is furry much looking forward to a yappy Christmas.
Sarri was delighted when his pooch Ciro was allowed to join him in England in September.
And the Italian has made preparations to ensure his best friend gets plenty of exercise while the Blues boss treks all over the country.
Chelsea face six games in 17 days and Sarri said: “I have a friend here from Florence, so I have no problem with my dog.
“I like very much to play in that period.
“Of course, here it’s difficult because we have to play 22, 26, 30, January 2 and 5. But I’m looking forward to it.
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“We have six Premier League matches still to play in December but we can see this like an opportunity to gain points.”
Sarri admitted earlier in the season - after moving into his new Surrey home with his wife and dog - that they have a "very big garden" meaning Ciro can presumably run around as much as he likes.
And more recently the Blues boss confessed to walking him for an hour every day.
Chelsea’s hectic run starts at Wolves tonight.
Chelsea's striker hunt rests on chief scout who took unfashionable road to top
By TOM RODDY
CHELSEA’S most important man this winter may be their least well-known.
Head of international scouts Scott McLachlan, formerly an analyst at Fulham, Southampton and Northampton, was promoted last year after the departure of technical director Michael Emenalo.
Twelve months into the new job and McLachlan is facing his biggest challenge to date after being tasked with finding the frontman to solve Chelsea’s striker problems.
Alvaro Morata has five Premier League goals this season while 32-year-old Olivier Giroud has netted just once in 11 league appearances.
As reported by SunSport in October, Chelsea have lost patience with £65million man Morata and boss Maurizio Sarri wants a new number nine next month.
Here’s where McLachlan comes in.
And Sarri concedes striker Alvaro Morata’s ‘fragile’ confidence can only be cured by the striker scoring more goals.
Sarri said: “He needs only continuity and confidence. So we need to have continuity in the scoring.”