Chelsea assistant manager Gianfranco Zola has insisted that the Blues do not need to win a trophy during their first season under Maurizio Sarri.
Sarri’s side take on Bournemouth in the quarter-final of the EFL Cup on Wednesday night and have already knocked Premier League leaders Liverpool out of the competition.
Chelsea have returned to their best following two defeats in three Premier League games, and have beaten Manchester City and Brighton in back to back games.
The Blues are still active in all competitions, but will be within touching distance of the EFL Cup final if they beat the Cherries.
Zola insists that while silverware is not something that is a requisite this season, Chelsea want to show ambition and challenge for trophies in Sarri’s first season at the helm.
“We want to win things, it is a quarter-final", Zola told a press conference via Chelsea TV.
“[Sarri] doesn’t really [need to win a trophy this year], he has to build up.
“Last year they won and we want to achieve something, but we are not in an urge for that.
“We want to be competitive in this league and Europe.
"We need to think in a short term and long term.
“This team plays in the way he wants to play, not consistently yet, but it is coming. It is demanding what the coach wants.
“I can understand it is difficult.
"As much as we try to play offensive there are a lot of ways you need to be defensive. This is what the players need to achieve."
The clash against Bournemouth is the first of four games Chelsea will play in 11 days before the end of the year.
