Chelsea strengthen grip on fourth but seeks reinforcement in midfielder.

Chelsea breezed past Newcastle 2-1 on Saturday boss Maurizio Sarri says he needs midfield replacements if he is to keep up his push for the last automatic Champions League spot in the Premier League. Fourth in the table, the Blues took the most of Arsenal's slip-up against West Ham earlier in the day to open a six-point lead over the fifth-placed Gunners in the Emirates next week. 

Chelsea, however, is disturbed by the speculation that players leave the club. Willian, who netted the winner on Saturday, was linked to a big money move to Barcelona and midfielder Cesc Fabregas could also leave Stamford Bridge.

 " You know very well that Willian is a very important factor for us, " Sarri told reporters after the 30-year-old Brazilian tormented Newcastle, who was threatened with relegation. " We need wingers, so we need Pedro, (Callum Hudson-) Odoi, of course, we need Willian. For us, he's a fundamental actor at this moment. "

Although he has many players in her books, Sarri said that Chelsea lacked depth in key positions such as the central midfield. " As you saw, Jorginho was in trouble today and there was no player for that position on the bench, so I need a player, I need a Jorginho option, " explained the Italian. " 

The club knows my opinion very well, I need the player (but) it depends on the club's decision. " Whatever chance Sarri has to persuade his club to splash out, Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez doesn't expect much to be strengthened in the transfer window this month.