Maurizio Sarri Says He Intends to Quit Smoking While at Chelsea

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has stated his intention to quit smoking while he's in charge of the Blues.

The Italian was asked if he needed a cigarette at the end of the first half in Chelsea's 3-2 win over Arsenal on Saturday after the Gunners battled back from 2-0 down to pull level.

Per Goal's Nizaar Kinsella, Sarri said:

"No, I needed half-time and the first half to end, not a cigarette. I am going to stop for just one or two years then I will start again.

"Inside there were 15 minutes that were horrible. We lost ground, we were not able to press, we were not able to defend, we were really in trouble. I think in the second half, we did very well from our mental point of view.

"It was really very hard to answer about the last part of the first half. I prefer to speak about the other 75 minutes, it is better. I remember better the good things instead of the worst."

As smoking is banned at Stamford Bridge and in stadiums throughout the UK, Sarri—who is said to go through 80 cigarettes a day—must refrain during matches.

He has taken to chewing cigarette butts on the touchline to help with his cravings, though:

Chelsea ultimately won on Saturday courtesy of Marcos Alonso's late strike, but they looked to have blown an excellent start:

Pedro and Alvaro Morata had them two goals up after just 20 minutes, but Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Alex Iwobi replied in a strong spell for Arsenal at the end of the first half.

Despite their loss of control during that period, Sarri's template already appears to be taking shape at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea often producing fluid, fast-paced attacking football against the Gunners.

Kinsella was also impressed with the way the coach managed the game after the setbacks:

On another day, though, Arsenal could have easily scored more than their two goals with a more clinical display, as Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang failed to convert gilt-edged opportunities.

Chelsea's defensive concerns show the amount of ground they need to make up on Manchester City if they're to sustain a title challenge this season, but even if they have to settle for a top-four battle, Sarri has brought exciting times with him to Stamford Bridge.