Maurizio Sarri feeling the love from Chelsea fans as 'Sarriball' invention makes him laugh

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Joe Krishnan14 October 2018

Maurizio Sarri says he is enjoying the affection he receives from the Chelsea supporters and revealed their definition of 'Sarriball' makes him laugh.

The Italian coach has hit the ground running since taking over in the summer after Antonio Conte's departure, winning nine out of his first 11 games as Chelsea manager.

But it has been the 59-year-old's free-flowing, attacking football which has caught the eye of fans and pundits alike, with the Blues playing arguably the best football in the Premier League this season.

And Sarri joked that the Blues supporters have no clue what his system is truly about.

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“The whole Sarriball thing amuses me," he told Corriere dello Sport. "I don’t go on social media, but I did see the fans post these videos with the most passes.

"If I have to be honest, the Chelsea fans aren’t even sure what Sarriball means.

"They invented this term, pronounce it all in one word and carry on. It’s very funny."

Sarri has never lifted a trophy in his career, but won plaudits for transforming Napoli into Serie A title contenders during his three years with the Partenopei.

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Having originally started out in Italy's amateur leagues, the former Empoli manager has worked his way up the football ladder and admits he still cannot process the fact that the fans chant his name.

“It’s a dream to be here," he added. "I walked into Stamford Bridge and hear this shout: ‘Mauriziooooooo!’ Then the chants, it makes you want to pinch yourself.

In Pictures | Southampton vs Chelsea | 07/10/2018

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"They usually do that for those who have won, but what have I won? I couldn’t believe it.”

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