FOUR wins from four league matches is an impressive start to his tenure for Maurizio Sarri, but the new Chelsea manager is canny enough not to talk too much about what his side may be capable of.

Goals from Spanish winger Pedro and Eden Hazard yesterday saw off a tough Bournemouth side in this enjoyable contest played out in brilliant sunshine in west London. However, Sarri remained balanced in his assessment of his team’s good start to the season.

“At the moment, I’m very happy with my players,” said the Chelsea boss. “They improved very well during the week and in matches. I’m really very happy to have 12 points from four matches, but I always think we can do more. We can improve. Especially in the performance, of course.”

When asked about whether the improvements he is making to the Chelsea team will mean they will be title contenders, Sarri reflected on the margin between his side and eventual league champions Manchester City last season.

Sarri, who has been shortlisted for August’s Manager of the Month Award, played down any title talk. He added: “The gap at the beginning was 30 points. I think it is difficult to recover this gap in one season.”

Several players have looked particularly comfortable under Sarri, including Hazard, who many thought may have been on his way out of the club during the transfer window, and N’golo Kante, the defensive shield who was a key part of France’s World Cup triumph.

Chelsea’s midfield, however, looks all the better for the addition of Jorginho, the deep-lying playmaker that Sarri brought with him from Napoli.

The Chelsea boss was also full of praise for his Spanish defender Marcos Alonso. Despite reverting to a traditional four-man defensive unit, full-back Alonso’s contributions to his team’s forward momentum are significant.

The player, who was a wing-back under former boss Antonio Conte, contributed to the crucial second of Chelsea’s goals.

Sarri said: “I also think he can improve in his defensive phase. If he improves, he could be the best left-back in the world.”

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe was in a positive mood after his side’s defeat. “Overall the team performance, I thought, was pretty good. Even at 2-0 down, we’re still trying to create and get back in the match so, mentally, a good performance from the players.”

Chelsea return after the international break with a home match against Cardiff City as Bournemouth entertain Leicester City on the same day.