Hughes praises Sarri ahead of clash

The Welsh coach paid tribute to the former Napoli manager's style of play, commenting on how it was so different from what is considered the typical Italian approach to football.

He also alluded to the differences between Sarri and his predecessor at Stamford Bridge - Antonio Conte. Speaking ahead of the showdown at St Marys the former Stoke manager said: 

 ''It's still early days but I think there's a shift in what they are trying to do. The previous manager was your more typical Italian coach. They were defensively sound and then would look to counter-attack and break quickly. That's the usual formula of Italian coaches.

''I would suggest Mr Sarri has a different background in terms of his coaching education, so he's done that a different way. That's maybe why he's a little bit different in terms of Italian coaches and how they approach it, he wants to be on the front foot. 

''Pressing in high positions and asking questions of the opposition rather than sitting back and waiting to counter. It's interesting.''

''That seems to be the way the top teams are going now, trying to be proactive.

''They're trying to be on the front foot and pressing from high positions and making mistakes in the opposition back line. And trying to capitalise on them.''