Maurizio Sarri says Chelsea's season won't be defined by Champions League qualification
Chelsea travel to Man United on Sunday, live on Sky Sports Premier League, coverage begins at 4:15pm with kick-off at 4:30pm
Friday 26 April 2019 23:51, UK
Maurizio Sarri insists it would not be a failure if Chelsea failed to seal Champions League qualification this season.
The Blues head coach is confident in Chelsea's quest to seal a spot in Europe's top-tier competition next term - either through a top-four Premier League finish or with Europa League glory.
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Sarri's future in charge at Stamford Bridge remains in doubt, but ahead of Sunday's pivotal meeting with Manchester United, live on Sky Sports Premier League, believes he has taken Chelsea forward since his appointment last summer.
With three games remaining in the league campaign, Chelsea - who reached the Carabao Cup final - sit fourth, one point ahead of Arsenal and three clear of United.
But if you look at the season, we are doing well, I think.
Asked if it would be a failure for Chelsea to miss out on next season's Champions League, Sarri said: "No. No, we played a final. We lost the final on penalties. We are in the semi-final in the Europa League. We are fighting for the top four. So the season, at the moment, is good.
"Of course we have two very, very strong targets: we want the top four in the Premier League and, at the moment, we want to go to the final of the Europa League.
"If we are able to get to the final, then we will want to win the final. And so I think the season is, at the moment, good. Of course, a very difficult season."
Sarri questioned his players' determination following defeats against Arsenal and Bournemouth in January and the 60-year-old has described his squad's progress as a good first step.
"We lost in the wrong way two or three matches, so the feeling, sometimes, is worse," he added.
"I think for this reason because we lost two or three matches in the wrong way, in a very wrong way, without fighting.
"But if you look at the season, we are doing well, I think.
"Of course, it's only the first step. We need to improve more. We need to become competitive for the top. The first step, though, is good."
