Sarri to lose battle with Chelsea hierarchy over Luiz and Fàbregas | OneFootball

Chelsea are reportedly set to lose David Luiz and Cesc Fàbregas on free transfers at the end of the season.

Maurizio Sarri was desperate to keep both players but has fallen victim to the club’s policy of only offering one-year deals to players over 30.

According to the Times, Sarri wanted a full reform of such thinking but was swiftly overruled by the board.

“I spoke with the club about this one month ago,” he revealed last month. “But I know it’s not easy.

“They are very important players for us. It is very difficult to find a centre-back for this level and it is very difficult to find a centre-midfielder technically like Fàbregas.

“The deal is difficult because both players are over 30 years of age. The club wants a short contract and the players want a long contract.”

Chelsea stay local during their busy Christmas period, hosting Watford on Boxing Day before travelling to Crystal Palace on December 30.