Maurizio Sarri still seeking solutions for Chelsea’s mental fragility

• Chelsea face Malmö in Europa League on Thursday
• Manager says ‘a mind problem’ contributed to 6-0 defeat to City

Maurizio Sarri and his beleaguered Chelsea players held an hour-long inquest this week into the humiliating loss at Manchester City, with the head coach putting that six-goal drubbing down to his squad’s mental fragility.

The Italian’s side now face a critical tie with Malmö in the last 32 of the Europa League, ahead of daunting domestic fixtures in league and cups against Manchester United, City and Tottenham, as they attempt to arrest recent desperate form. Marcos Alonso, who endured a torrid afternoon against the champions and was culpable in the lack of marking at City’s opening goal, has been omitted from the travelling squad, albeit Sarri claimed he had been rested rather than dropped.

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