For the first time since 1996, Chelsea lost a Premier League match by four-goal margin as they were humiliated by Bournemouth at the Vitality stadium on Wednesday.
The Blues were in their usual wasteful nature against the Cherries as they failed to convert their begging chances in the opening 45 minutes.
However, Maurizio Sarri’s side were made to pay for their complacency in front of goal as King (brace), Brooks and Daniels all found the back of the net in the second half to give the Cherries a well-deserved victory.
Chelsea are no longer in the fourth position as result of their embarrassing defeat to Howe’s side, though, they are on the same points with fourth-place Arsenal but with inferior goal difference.
What next for Maurizio Sarri?
The Italian manager might lose his job at the end of the season if he fail to qualify the Blues for next season’s Champions League competition, hence, he must do everything possible to see that the West London outfits beat Arsenal in the race for a top-four finish.
For the former Napoli manager to get the job done, he must begin to play his players to their respective strengths.
Having signed Higuain from Napoli, Sarri has no reason to play Eden Hazard out of position. He must learn to feature the Belgian at either of the flanks so as to get the best out of him.
Mateo Kovacic is still in the team, Ross Barkley is back to full fitness and the former Everton star is a world-class playmaker, therefore, it’s high time Sarri push N’Golo Kante back to his usual position.
The Frenchman often put up a five-star performance whenever he plays as defensive midfielder but as an attacking midfielder, the French World Cup winner shows nothing but woeful performances.
Sarri doesn’t need to sign another player before he can provide strong shield for his defenders, he only need to deploy Kante at the defensive midfield position alongside Jorginho or Danny Drinkwater (if he’s not loaned out of Stamford Bridge today).
Up next for Sarri and his men is a must-win clash with Huddersfield Town at the Stamford Bridge on Saturday and they will be hoping to earn all three points.
The Blues have no option but to defeat the struggling Premier League side so as to stand a chance of qualifying for Champions League competition next season.
The Gunners, who are also in the race for a top-four finish, will face Manchester City at the Etihad stadium on Sunday.