Maurizio Sarri says that the goalkeeper could be dropped for the game against Tottenham Hotspur.
Manchester City edged Chelsea on penalties when the scores could not be separated after the completion of the extra time. The game ended in a stalemate, but Pep Guardiola lifted his third major trophy in England and they have retained the league cup for the first time in their history.
These incidents did not gain much attention but the refusal of Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga during the dying seconds of the stoppage time was the main talking point of the game. The Spanish shot-stopper waved his hand and said that he would continue the game despite the substitution board being raised to swap Willy Caballero in.
The former Atletico Bilbao goalkeeper was adamant that he would be continuing the game and Maurizio Sarri was furious in the touchline with his antics in the middle. Despite continuously wanting him to come out of the pitch, Kepa cost his side by opting to stay at the pitch for the penalty shoot out.
In the post-match interview, the Italian International said that there was a misunderstanding between Kepa and himself when he refused to come off. On the other hand, Kepa Arrizabalaga posted a message regarding the same in social media to deliver the message to the fans.
A report claimed that Maurizio Sarri was furious with Kepa in the dressing room after the game and asked: “How could you do this?” The pair had to be diffused by the German International Antonio Rudiger, who was seen talking to the boss before the penalty shoot out.
For his unquestionable antics in the middle of the pitch, Kepa has been fined by Chelsea Football Club. Besides fining him, he could be in trouble as Maurizio Sarri is planning to drop him for the clash against Tottenham Hotspur.
Speaking in the pre-match press conference, Sarri said “I have to decide [if he will play], maybe yes, maybe not. He made a really big mistake. For me it’s finished.”
The Italian added: “I spoke with Kepa. Then we spoke altogether, because he said sorry to the technical staff, but it was not enough. Then he said sorry to his team-mates, to the club. I think he made a big mistake, but we need to be [bigger]. We don’t want to kill him.”
There is no doubt that the players’ power has always been coming back to haunt Chelsea. After winning the title under Jose Mourinho, the Portuguese International was sacked because the players underperformed and the club was in the relegation zone when he left.
The succeeding manager Antonio Conte lost his dressing room after a season and he was shown the exit door as well. Maurizio Sarri is already in the middle of that and if he fails to finish in a Champions League place, he might well be sacked without second thoughts.
