Maurizio Sarri has won the first trophy of his management career, as Chelsea crushed Arsenal 4-1 in Baku to lift the Europa League.

It’s reported this could be Sarri’s last match on the Chelsea bench, as the former Napoli boss has been heavily linked with a move to Juventus or Roma this summer.

There was a big surprise in the starting XI, as Sarri chose to risk N’Golo Kante just days after a knee sprain in training, as he was already missing the likes of Antonio Rudiger and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Italy international Davide Zappacosta celebrated reaching the Europa League Final with Chelsea and revealed Maurizio Sarri had prepared a tactical switch.

They drew 1-1 with Eintracht Frankfurt, 2-2 on aggregate, and won the semi-final on a penalty shoot-out.

Maurizio Sarri, Jorginho, Emerson Palmieri and Davide Zappacosta are in the Europa League Final against Arsenal after Chelsea beat Eintracht Frankfurt on penalties.

The first leg had ended 1-1 in Germany and Ruben Loftus-Cheek provided the perfect start at Stamford Bridge by side-footing into the far bottom corner.

However, Eintracht Frankfurt – who eliminated Inter – equalised when Luka Jovic pounced on a David Luiz error to break clear through the middle.

Multiple reports claim Davide Zappacosta agreed terms with Lazio, but Chelsea won’t release him on loan with option to buy.

The 26-year-old was brought in from Torino for €25m in the summer of 2017, but has struggled for regular playing time.

He is eager for a return to Serie A, with Lazio ready to welcome the right-back with open arms.

However, both Sky Sport Italia and Sportitalia report that while Lazio and Zappacosta are in full agreement over personal terms, Chelsea are holding up the move.

Chelsea could release Davide Zappacosta on loan with option to buy for €15m to Lazio, according to Il Messaggero newspaper.

Zappacosta has repeatedly been linked with a return to Serie A in recent months, including Inter, Juventus and Roma.

It’s reported Chelsea are now prepared to accept a loan deal with option to buy at the end of the season.

The total cost of the operation would be around €15m and Lazio are the new favourites.

However, they would first have to cut down the squad, with Martin Caceres close to Parma.

Reports in England say Lazio are interested in Chelsea’s Davide Zappacosta, as an alternative to Matteo Darmian.

The Biancocelesti are keen to sign a right-back in January, as Martin Caceres looks set to leave the club.

The capital club have been heavily linked with Darmian, but the Daily Mirror believes they are also looking at Zappacosta.

The defender joined Chelsea from Torino, but has made only 10 Premier League starts in his 18 months in London.

After Elseid Hysaj’s agent confirmed Napoli are open to a Chelsea transfer, it’s reported they are lining up Manuel Lazzari from SPAL.

“If you see Napoli are playing Kevin Malcuit and hear they’re looking at other players, it means there are also enquiries,” agent Mario Giuffredi told Radio CRC.

Mario Balotelli is one of seven players left out of Italy’s 23-man squad to face Portugal on Monday.

Balotelli was heavily criticised for his performance during Italy’s 1-1 draw with Poland, although the Nice striker limped off with a thigh injury.

Joining him in the stands are Alessio Cragno, Daniele Rugani and Nicolo Zaniolo, plus fellow starters Cristiano Biraghi, Davide Zappacosta and Lorenzo Pellegrini.

Davide Zappacosta reveals ‘Inter had been after me’ and will consider a return to Serie A in January ‘if I don’t find much room’ at Chelsea.

Inter’s right-back hunt ultimately took them to Sime Vrsaljko, but Zappacosta claims he could have filled the void left by Jose Cancelo and may yet leave Chelsea, having seen no game time in Maurizio Sarri’s first four matches.

“Could I return to Italy? Yes, Inter had been after me,” the former Torino and Atalanta stopper told Corriere dello Sport.