Chelsea vs West Ham: Manuel Pellegrini backs Maurizio Sarri to stick with philosophy despite scepticism

The Italian has come under fire from his own fans due to his commitment to play a specific way with the Blues

Manuel Pellegrini believes Chelsea counterpart Maurizio Sarri is right to stick with his philosophy despite the scepticism at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian has struggled to implement his famed 'Sarri-ball' system with fans growing frustrated at players playing out of position.

Yet recent wins over Cardiff and Brighton have ensured Chelsea remain firmly in the race for a top-four finish in Sarri's first season in charge.

Pellegrini's first four matches as West Ham manager ended in defeat, prompting questions about his attacking style, yet the Chilean stuck with his principles and eventually turned their results around.

He said: "It is more hard when you don't obtain the results that you want. Players will trust it if they see that by playing that way you win.

"As a manager, you must be used to that pressure, but you must continue doing what you believe is the best way to win a game, before the game and during the game.

"After that, personally, when I don't win the game I make a self-criticism about the mistakes.

"If you are always feeling you must change something because the pressure will be too high? I don't think you can be a top manager.

"Maurizio is just starting his first season here in England. It is not easy to come to the Premier League, you must know a lot of things.

"He is maybe part of the reason they were playing very well and now that they have a couple of bad results you cannot not trust in all that he is doing.

"He is a very good manager. He demonstrated that at another team so I hope that he will finish this season in a good position for Chelsea.

"Chelsea in this moment are close to the spot of Champions League for next season. Maybe they are not involved in the title but they continue fighting for the Europa League and they reached the final of the League Cup.

"So when we finish the season if Chelsea are in a spot of the Champions League I think that will be a good season for Chelsea and Maurizio Sarri."

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri is under pressure (REUTERS)

Felipe Anderson and Samir Nasri will return from injury for West Ham when they face the Blues at Stamford Bridge on Monday night.

West Ham midfielder Jack Wilshere made a return from injury as the Under-23s won 1-0 against Leicester in a PL2 game at the London Stadium on Sunday.

The former Arsenal and England player, who has been sidelined by two ankle problems this season, has played just eight minutes as a substitute for the first team since September.

Wilshere came on in the 3-0 Premier League victory over Newcastle at St James' Park in December but has since been out of action.

Pellegrini has been keen to get Wilshere, who has been training with the under-23s for the last fortnight, back in action and the midfielder started the game against Leicester.