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Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri does not have an off button, jokes Dries Mertens

Sarri helped Mertens establish himself as one of Europe's top strikers at Napoli: Getty Images
Sarri helped Mertens establish himself as one of Europe's top strikers at Napoli: Getty Images

Napoli striker Dries Mertens has hailed the influence of Maurizio Sarri… though he has some doubts as to whether his former manager gets enough down time, such is his obsession with football.

Chelsea boss Sarri guided Napoli to top three finishes in each of his three seasons in charge at the Studio San Paolo, taking the Neapolitan side closer than ever before to just a third Serve A title last season.

The 59-year-old former bank worker subsequently left to succeed fellow Italian Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge, where he is already living up to his reputation as a football obsessive.

Mertens told The Times: “Sarri does not have an off button. I think he sleeps one hour a night and he is always thinking about football.

“Maybe because he had less time because he arrived late in the game and he is playing catch-up? I learnt a lot from him.”

Mertens added: “The thing I loved most about him is that you feel you are playing with 12 not 11. He puts the line very high so the strikers feel the midfielders are close.

“I’m sure now Sarri is learning things about London. He knows so many facts, he’s crazy but interesting.”

Few players benefitted quite as greatly from Sarri’s tutelage as Mertens, who was transposed from a winger to free-scoring striker by the Italian after Gonzalo Higuain left Napoli for Juventus.