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Having been highly rated following his exploits with Empoli and Napoli in the Italian Serie A, Maurizio Sarri was appointed as Chelsea manager last summer to replace his compatriot Antonio Conte who fell out with a number of players and members of the Chelsea board.
Sarri is a tactically astute coach, possessing that acumen which seems to come naturally to Italian managers and has earned praise for his managerial performances from figures as revered as Pep Guardiola and the late great Johan Cruyff.
The 60-year-old though yet to win a major managerial honour is well thought of, with his team's style of play being universally acclaimed for its aesthetic pattern and attention to detail.
Since arriving Chelsea, Sarri has understandably changed the team's dynamics, helping Chelsea to sit in 4th place on the EPL table, while also making it to the round of 32 in the Europa League as well as the semifinal of the Carabao Cup.
As with any managerial upheaval, there has been some fundamental changes (both negative and positive) since Sarri arrived Chelsea. In this piece, we would take a look at three positive changes that have taken place at Stamford Bridge since Maurizio Sarri took over.
#3 Getting the best out of Eden Hazard
The 28-year-old Belgian has long been touted as one of the best players in the world and a potential heir to the throne occupied by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, one drawback to Hazard which was always pointed at by his detractors has been his low productivity, when compared to other superstars like Alexis Sanchez, Neymar and Gareth Bale.
Having played under more pragmatic coaches all this while at Chelsea, Hazard has come into his own under Maurizio Sarri, taking advantage of the more open ended style of play adopted by the Italian to put in some of his best displays for The Blues.
So far this season, in 21 Premier League matches, the winger has scored 10 goals (just six short of his best ever tally), while also contributing 10 assists (the first time he has ever assisted double figures in the Premier League).
Sarri has helped bring out the best of Hazard, as even when he is deployed in a false nine role, he continues to dictate play and influence matches.
Eden Hazard is undoubtedly Chelsea's most important attacking player and over the last few years, his attacking impetus has been reduced. However, since Sarri's appointment, the Belgian has begun to justify his supreme abilities which is good news for Chelsea fans, as Hazard is crucial to everything The Blues hope to achieve.
#2 The reemergence of David Luiz
Ever since his 2011 arrival at Stamford Bridge, David Luiz has firmly established himself as a fan favourite, with his jovial nature as well as his tendency to leave everything on the pitch endearing him to the hearts of the Chelsea faithful.
However, the 31-year-old found himself frozen out of the first team picture towards the end of Antonio Conte's reign, with the Brazilian having fallen out with his Italian gaffer, with speculation linking him with a move away from Chelsea having seen his starting spot lost to Andreas Christensen.
Since Sarri's arrival however, Luiz has once more been thrust into the heart of defense, having played in 21 of Chelsea's 22 EPL matches thus far.
Luiz is a highly technical defender, which comes as a useful asset to Sarri's gameplan, as the former PSG man's efficient long range passing comes in handy to Chelsea breaking down high pressing defenses by bypassing the midfield and this was evident in Pedro's stunning goal against Newcastle earlier this season.
Dvaid Luiz is currently locked in a contract dispute with the Chelsea board, due to the club's rather abysmal policy of only offering one year contract extensions to players over 30.
Maurizio Sarri himself has come out in support of David Luiz continuing at the club, which is a sign of the premium placed on the defender by his gaffer.
#1 The return of attractive football
Chelsea as a club have not been known for playing aesthetic football, with an emphasis rather placed on winning at all costs, no matter the manner in which the result is achieved.
A key proponent for the club getting this image was Jose Mourinho, as during the Portuguese managers reign, the club gained a reputation of being pragmatic, while not having too many admirers among neutral fans.
This win-at-all-cost mentality came to the fore during the club's successful run to the Champions League trophy in 2012, with Chelsea playing on the back foot for most of their knockout matches, particularly in the semifinal and final triumphs over Barcelona and Bayern Munich respectively, where they were practically boxed in their own half for the entirety of the matches without showing any form of attacking intent.
Further managerial appointments of Antonio Conte and Rafa Benitez further increased Chelsea's perceived negativity, as the two coaches are not known to be the most obsessed with beauty on the field of play.
Maurizio Sarri has however changed all that. Under his tutelage, Napoli became one of the most attractive sides in all of Europe, winning plenty admirers with their enthralling style of play.
Much of the same has been applied at Chelsea, as Sarriball has begun to take a sweeping effect on the club's playing pattern, with the London club now more focused on playing through the channels and holding onto possession.
