Maurizio Sarri admits he harbours regret over Chelsea's failure to sign Gonzalo Higuain.
The experienced Argentina international enjoyed one of the most prolific spells of his career under Sarri's management at Napoli before his controversial move to Juventus.
Higuain was heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this summer but ultimately signed for AC Milan on loan from Juventus.
Sarri has backed Alvaro Morata to improve from a largely disappointing first season in English football and also has France World Cup winner Olivier Giroud to call upon, but conceded he would have relished the opportunity to work with Higuain again.
Asked about Chelsea's summer dealings, he told Sky Sports: 'Higuain? It's a little regret but in the end everyone after the market have a few little regrets.'
The FA Cup holders gave a debut to new goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga in Saturday's win over Huddersfield and Sarri believes he will prove a more than capable long-term successor to Thibaut Courtois, who joined Real Madrid last week.
'Fundamentally, the club was very open, we signed a great goalkeeper to replace another great one,' he added.
'I thought it right not to hold Courtois against his will, we got someone young like Mateo Kovacic who is ready to explode and also Jorginho.'
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