Gus Poyet urges Chelsea to keep Maurizio Sarri despite Juventus interest

Gus Poyet wants Chelsea to retain Maurizio Sarri's services but admits he may have already decided to return to Italy with Juventus.

The 60-year-old has been called up to replace Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge last summer after a successful three-year Serie A win over Napoli.

The Italian took the Blues to third place in the Premier League and secured the first trophy of his coaching career in the Europa League.

Despite a strong first year in England, Sarri's preferred style of play and stubborn selection policy have attracted criticism in certain quarters as the outgoing
 chats have stirred up since Christmas.

Chelsea coach Massimiliano Allegri is expected to succeed at Juventus this summer, having confessed to losing his life in Italy.

But Poyet, who played on the bridge between 1997 and 2001, hopes Sarri will be in West London despite fears that he already has "enough money" from English football.

"Sarri, to me, did very well," Poyet told talkSport.

"I know we talked earlier this season about the style of football, about Sarriball, blah, blah, blah.

"But at the end of the day he finished third behind the top two teams for many, many years in the Premier League, won the Europa League and was in the League Cup
final, which he lost on penalties. So it was not so bad.

"I'm not sure if it's Chelsea who wants him to leave, or he wants to leave.

"It seems to me that he has already received enough criticism for the work he has done, and in fact he is the one who wants to leave.

"I want Sarri to stay in. Having the results that I had, I think it's a good option to have him for another year, but I have the feeling that he's had enough.

Chelsea lord and current Derby County boss Frank Lampard has been called back to his old club if Sarri leaves after an impressive debut season at Pride Park.

Poyet asked a former team mate to seize the opportunity with both hands if they offered him the job, adding, "I think it's a beautiful job and if he has the chance,
 Frank needs to jump at it.

"It's a rare opportunity and it's a good option. He knows the club, knows the politics inside the club and knows you need to have a different way to play. "