Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri and Jorginho show times are changing on Premier League debuts

Supporters at John Smiths Stadium saw the defensive shackles released on scorer N’Golo Kante.

They also witnessed trusted lieutenant Jorginho move into the space vacated by France’s World Cup 2018 winner at the base of midfield and slot in one of the top flight’s calmest debut penalties, while a rapier counter-attack rounded off a promising second half with ex-Spain winger Pedro’s chipped clincher.

SARRI’S FRESH START

Sarri and predecessor Antonio Conte share an Italian passport – and little else. A transformation from a defensive-minded 3-4-3 formation to the brave new world afforded by ‘Sarri-ball’ and its high-press, one-touch style in a 4-3-3 will take time.

It proved beyond a makeshift side that champions Manchester City held at arm’s length in last weekend’s 2-0 Community Shield defeat.

Sarri was then at pains on Friday to ask for patience from new employers recent history shows are not charitable enough to dole out. The 11^th permanent or interim boss hired since Roman Abramovich’s paradigm-shifting takeover in 2003 declared he hoped to show “the potential of the squad in one or two months”.

These words appeared prescient during a staccato opening period in Yorkshire. It saw just three attempts on goal, even though possession rose up to 72 per cent at one stage.

Indentations from Sarri, however, were to be found.

Kante was tasked with winning the ball higher up the pitch than previously witnessed in England. This box-to-box role ensured he popped up on the back post to uncomfortably volley home Brazil winger Willian’s perfect left-footed centre, via the turf.

Great attacking responsibility is afforded to Sarri’s defenders. A stance David Luiz – ostracised under Conte – and the always-adventurous Marcos Alonso took to heart.

The former embraced a playmaking role from deep, while Alonso’s driving run inside saw him felled by Christopher Schindler as he attempted a shot.

Italy centre midfielder Jorginho then did the rest from 12 yards.

JORGINHO IS TAKING CENTRE STAGE

After such a poor performance against previous suitors City, it appeared a longer adaption period than predicted would be experienced by the man who made Sarri’s Napoli tick.

He was much better on Saturday, admittedly against likely relegation strugglers rather than record Premier League champions.

A tally of 66 passes was the best outside of any Chelsea defenders. His pass completion of 93.9 per cent was the best of anyone in the visitor’s starting XI.

These numbers must rise in the weeks to come. In particular, his average passes per game in Serie A across four-and-a-half seasons was 90.9.

The landscape was to change further after the interval. Only one more goal was scored, but this came from 10 more attempts.

The moment all Blues fans will cherish after last term’s wretched and wrenched title defence came when the ball was won in centre midfield during the 80^th minute.

Substitute Eden Hazard – fresh from excelling for Belgium at the World Cup and from failing to see Real Madrid make any real attempts to sign him – raced into space in front of the retreating home rearguard, eventually finding Pedro to artfully convert.

Illumination could be found in this moment – and it spells bad news for misfit Alvaro Morata. The £60 million (Dh281.4m) buy from Madrid in July 2017 now has just one goal in his last 15 Premier League run-outs.

MOVE OVER, MORATA

The Spain centre forward badly miscued in the first half, from an offside position. Only goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga – gratefully underworked after his world-record switch from Athletic Bilbao – had fewer touches of any fellow starter.

If Sarri intends to transpose his blueprint to the Premier League, he could make Hazard undergo the same evolution experienced by countrymen Dries Mertens. From dancing winger, to predatory striker.

Sarri altered perceptions of Serie A at Napoli. He blew away the tired trope of ‘Catenaccio’ which still defines the competition in uninitiated minds.

There was enough on show at the John Smiths to eagerly await a similar imprint. In good time.