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EFL Cup | Final
Feb 24, 2019 at 4.30pm UK
 
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Man City win 4-3 on penalties

Chelsea should not fear repeat of Man City humbling in cup final - Barkley

Chelsea should not fear repeat of Man City humbling in cup final - Barkley
© Reuters
The final will take place just two weeks after City inflicted Chelsea's heaviest loss in 28 years.

Ross Barkley insists Chelsea should not fear a repeat of their 6-0 humbling to Manchester City when the two sides meet at Wembley for the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.

The showpiece will take place just two weeks after City inflicted Chelsea's heaviest loss in 28 years, piling pressure on head coach Maurizio Sarri.

"I don't think in our minds we should be thinking anything about embarrassment – we should be thinking about winning a trophy," Barkley said.

"We've got to think about achieving success. Thinking about the good things, rather than thinking about what could happen."

Sarri has questioned his players' mentality repeatedly this season and ensuring there is no repeat of the Etihad debacle "starts in the mind", Barkley said.

Sarri's possession-based style of play and 4-3-3 formation, plus his unwillingness to try a different approach, have attracted scrutiny and criticism, including from Chelsea supporters.

But Barkley reckons, with time, Chelsea can fulfil their ambitions of a beautiful and successful game.

Pep Guardiola and Maurizio Sarri
Comparisons have been drawn between Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri (Adam Davy/PA)

Whether Sarri has time, only Roman Abramovich knows and the Chelsea owner is not renowned for his patience.

Pep Guardiola's first season at Manchester City has been repeatedly used as an example of how patience can be rewarded.

But Guardiola had pedigree from Barcelona and Bayern Munich; former Empoli and Napoli boss Sarri is yet to win a trophy.

Barkley said: "We've got ambition to be one of the best footballing sides in the world. We're one of the biggest clubs in the world.

Ross Barkley and Maurizio Sarri
Ross Barkley is enjoying playing under Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri (John Walton/PA)

"The style of play the manager wants to play it's not where it's at right now. Over time it will come.

"He (Sarri) tries to improve every player. Throughout his career, you can see at Napoli how well he did with the players he had, how well he improved them.

"You can see on the training pitch a lot of things improving in each individual.

"We went through a bit of an up and down spell in the last couple of weeks, but we're confident we'll come through it and achieve success."

The midfielder has more reason than most to believe in Sarri and his methods.

The 25-year-old signed from Everton in January 2018, but arrived following a long-term injury and was a peripheral figure last term as Chelsea won the FA Cup in Antonio Conte's final match as boss.

Barkley has been more central this term, often starting big matches in Sarri's favoured three-man midfield and earning an England recall.

Barkley was an unused substitute in last May's FA Cup final, when Chelsea beat Manchester United 1-0 courtesy of Eden Hazard's penalty.

Ross Barkley
Ross Barkley was an unused substitute as Chelsea won the 2018 FA Cup at Wembley (Nick Potts/PA)

His desire for silverware was behind his move to Stamford Bridge and the Wembley win whetted his appetite.

"Last season I didn't really play much of a part in winning the trophy, so I see Sunday as the chance to win my first trophy at the club," Barkley said.

"Over the years – me, not being at the club – you see managers come, managers go. It's all about success at the club, winning trophies.

"That's why I came to the club and all of the players come to the club. If things aren't going well there's always going to be pressure that comes with it."

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