Sarri playing it cool with identity of new Chelsea captain

With current skipper Gary Cahill seemingly on his way out this January, the Chelsea captain’s armband is up for grabs – but head coach Maurizio Sarri remains non-committal on the issue.

Cesar Azpilicueta took the armband off Willian after coming on as a substitute in Thursday’s 1-0 Europa League win over PAOK.

Chelsea have a number of candidates for the captain’s job, with Azpilicueta and Eden Hazard – who missed Thursday’s game – chief amongst them, but Sarri seemed unconcerned by the lack of clarity,

Asked whether the Spaniard would be taking the armband full-time, Sarri said: “I don’t remember who was the captain at the beginning of the game. Who was the captain? Willian.

“And in the second part, Azpilicueta. I don’t know. I don’t remember. I understand that in England it is important. For me it is not so important.

“I have my idea. I want to speak to the players and I want to speak to my club. It was not possible this week. Maybe it will be possible in the next week.”