Sarri admits new striker needed as Chelsea frustrated by Saints

Maurizio Sarri admitted Chelsea need attacking reinforcements after they wasted a chance to cement their place in the Premier League's top four with a 0-0 draw against struggling Southampton.

Sarri's team remain in fourth place, but they are now just three points ahead of fifth placed Arsenal in the race to qualify for next season's Champions League.

It was a frustrating evening for Chelsea, who dominated possession but lacked any cutting edge, maintaining a worrying sequence for Sarri.

His side failed to score for the third time in their last five Premier League games at Stamford Bridge, raising more questions about Chelsea's need for a top-class striker in the January transfer window.

"The club knows my opinion. I think we need something else for our characteristics," Sarri said Wednesday when asked if he would consider recalling on loan forwards Michy Batshuayi and Tammy Abraham.

Quizzed on the possibility of signing a new forward, he made it clear the responsibility lies with owner Roman Abramovich as he said: "It depends on the board, not on me.

"I have to think of my responsibility with the training. I have to try to improve my players in the offensive phase.

"We played a good match for 80 metres, then we were in trouble in the last 20 metres.

"We have to try to solve the problem. We were in control of every match recently, but it was not easy to score the first goal."
- Mounting frustration -
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