Maurizio Sarri insists Roman Abramovich retains hands-on role at Chelsea

Maurizio Sarri believes Roman Abramovich is still committed to Chelsea.Chelseas billionaire owner has opted not to pay up front for a corporate hospitality box at Stamford Bridge, as revealed in accounts lodged with Companies House.Abramovich has taken Israeli citizenship which means he can visit the UK visa-free for up to six months at a time, but cannot work in the country.Roman Abramovich arrived at Chelsea in 2003 (Jed Leicester/PA)The 52-year-old has owned Chelsea since 2003 but recent issues with his UK visa had led to speculation he would seek to sell the club though head coach Sarri insists Abramovich retains a hands-on role at Stamford Bridge.He has some problems now, but he is involved with the club, with the team, said Sarri.He is the owner, and so he is able to influence the technical staff, the club, the players, everything I think.Also in Naples (Sarris former club), the president Aurelio (De Laurentiis) wasnt in the training ground every day. He was in the training ground once a month, no more. So its really very similar. Today marks the 15th anniversary of Roman Abramovich becoming Chelsea owner https://t.co/1j0CqJQMym pic.twitter.com/ek4y3hbn3a Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 1, 2018Sarri revealed his assistant Gianfranco Zola speaks more regularly to Abramovich, given the ex-Chelsea forwards superior English.Asked how much contact he has with the clubs owner, Sarri said: More Zola than me. Because Zola speaks English better than me, of course.Chelsea will host West Ham on Monday night as their bid for a top-four finish in the Premier League intensifies.Academy graduates Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are expected to play a key part between now and the end of the campaign.Callum Hudson-Odoi has been directly involved in nine goals in his nine starts for the Blues! All the stats from last night's 3-0 win Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 4, 2019Both young English talents shone in Chelseas 3-0 win over Brighton in midweek, but Sarri rejected suggestions he had been urged by club bosses to hand both men more playing time.Asked if he was under pressure to select Hudson-Odoi and Loftus-Cheek, Sarri replied: No. Its up to the players, they are improving.In this moment of the season, they are fresh. So I think that, in this moment, they are really very important for us.But at the beginning of the season, Odoi had a very great potential but wasnt ready to play in the Premier League.Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been in sparkling form for Chelsea (Adam Davy/PA)Loftus the same. He had only to adapt to my football, to improve tactically for my football.Then he had a lot of problems with his back, and so we had to wait for him. But now they are fresh; they are ready.Sarri also confirmed he wants to see France striker Olivier Giroud stay at Chelsea beyond the summer.The World Cup winners contract expires at the end of the season, though Chelsea have the option to extend that deal for another year.Asked if he wants to hold on to Giroud, Sarri said: Yes, of course. I know the club have an option for another season, so I think he will remain.(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){
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