Sarri wants new central midfielder and hints at Chelsea stay for Cahill

New Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri would like to sign a new central midfielder in the transfer window but suggested he wants to keep Gary Cahill.

The 59-year-old was appointed as Antonio Conte’s successor on a three-year deal last Saturday and has been tipped to bring a number of players to Stamford Bridge from Serie A.

The Blues have already brought in Jorginho from Sarri’s old club Napoli in a deal reportedly worth up to £57million, but Sarri is keen on further reinforcements.

Although he told a news conference on Wednesday that he wanted a centre-half, it was later clarified that this was a mistranslation and that he was referring instead to the middle of midfield.

“I cannot name any names,” he told a news conference. “I don’t know who these people are.

“I spoke with the football club and said, ideally, I think a pinch of quality is lacking [in midfield], for a certain kind of play. Otherwise, they are at very high levels.

“It will be up to me to decide which style of play is suitable. I cannot come here and change 20 players. I must adapt to the players.

“Then, we will see whether or not to change something, if the squad is advising me to play a different game because of their characteristics.”

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