How Sarri denied Chelsea players from seeing their kids

Chelsea players were denied the chance to see their children in the afternoons because of the superstitious training routines during the tenure of Maurizio Sarri according to Cesc Fabregas

Fabregas has opened up on the Italian’s time at Stamford Bridge, and why he and his team-mates were far from happy with the decision to train in the middle of the afternoon.

The former Napoli boss was at Chelsea for a single season before joining Juventus, where he managed to add Serie A glory to the Europa League triumph he earned with the Blues.

Due to that success, it is unusual that Sarri only stayed at each club for a solitary campaign – but Fabregas has opened up on a decision that could have alienated his players.

Fabregas told Italian outlet Tuttosport this week: “Sarri is a good coach. But he has very strong tactical beliefs, he is superstitious and it is very difficult to make him change his mind.

“Sarri always fixed us the training sessions at 3 in the afternoon. Those who had families like me did not see their children all day that way.

“In the morning they went to school and when I came back in the evening after training, they were already in bed. So one day we asked Sarri to move the sessions to the morning.

“But he told us that we had to train at 3 pm because a scholar from Pisa had scientifically proven that this is the best time for the body.

“Well, it will be … I just know that family time is also very important for any player.”

Fabregas, who caused controversy by leaving Barcelona for Chelsea despite his connection to Arsenal, won two Premier League titles with the club before falling out of favour under Sarri.

The World Cup winner with Spain decided to join Monaco last year, where he has impressed under the guidance of former Bayern boss Niko Kovac.