Dennis Wise: Don’t blame Maurizio Sarri for 6-0 defeat to Manchester City

Sarri has faced stinging criticism after some woeful results in 2019, including 4-0 and 6-0 defeats at Bournemouth and City.

But Wise believes the players have to take responsibility for the club’s patchy form and insists Sarri needs time to turn things around at Stamford Bridge.

"Some of the players seriously have to look at themselves. They got beat 6-0. That’s not down to the manager," Wise said, promoting Quest’s coverage of the Carabao Cup final.

"You’ve only got to look at a prime example – the first goal they conceded against Man City. I’m not sure what Alonso was doing – turning his back and walking away.

"It’s down to individuals. It’s the easy way out to put the blame on managers. Sometimes who’ve got to look at players – he’s trying to implement his ideas. Some will take on ideas, some won’t. If they don’t, I would like to see him given time to implement them."

Chelsea have slipped to sixth in the Premier League table, although they remain firmly in the top-four picture with fourth-placed Manchester United only one point ahead.

Victory over City would prove the perfect tonic to the club’s recent malaise, with Wise keen to point out Sarri’s record fairs well against Guardiola's first season at the Etihad.

"The interesting thing is Sarri actually has the better record than Pep in his first year – it’s a lot better," Wise said.

Supporters have vented frustration at the Italian's refusal to experiment, with one cause for concern his deployment of N’Golo Kante in an advanced role.

"Yes, Kante is being played as the holding midfielder and he breaks things up," Wise continued.

"I think he sees something different in Jorginho with his passing ability. From a passing point of view and the way he likes to play, they need a person in there who breaks the lines with his passes and not breaks up the play. He sees it in a different manner – whether or not he’s going to change that will be up to him."