Kepa’s refusal to obey Sarri’s orders could be costly to the club

Maurizio Sarri had every right to go into the Chelsea dressing room and absolutely hammer Kepa Arrizabalaga [Courtesy]

Chelsea’s first choice goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga could cost manager Maurizio Sarri his job.

This is after the Blues lost to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday, February 24.

The 24-year-old Spaniard appeared to pick up an injury after his encounter with Sergio Aguero in the dying minutes of the extra time.

Sarri then lined up a substitution in the 29^th minute of extra time - Willy Caballero, the former City goalkeeper was already at the touchline to replace Kepa.

Surprisingly, Kepa was defiant. He refused to leave the pitch and gestured to the bench with his fingers insisting he was okay. Sarri became restless as he glared in fury, storming to the tunnel doors leading to the dressing rooms before coming back.

He refused to leave the pitch and gestured to the bench with his fingers insisting he was okay [Courtesy]

The situation turned into a real farce as the Spanish goalkeeper stood firm, forcing referee Jonathan Moss to take up a mediator role. The goalkeeper finally won and remained on the pitch for the penalty shootout.

Though he was able to save Leroy Sane’s spot kick, his teammates could not back him up as Jorginho saw his penalty saved by Ederson and David Luiz crashed his spot kick against the post.

Kepa was then beaten by Raheem Sterling who converted his spot kick magnificently earning Manchester City a 4-3 victory.

The internet was abuzz with reaction, with football legend Allan Shearer blaming the Spaniard for making ‘a fool’ of manager Maurizio Sarri.

“Maurizio Sarri had every right to go into the Chelsea dressing room and absolutely hammer Kepa Arrizabalaga,” Shearer wrote in his column of the Sun.

The 24-year-old Spaniard appeared to pick up an injury after his encounter with Sergio Aguero in the dying minutes of the extra time [Courtesy]

“I actually liked what Sarri was planning on doing because Willy Caballero would have known the majority of the City players — and that could have given Chelsea an advantage in the shootout,”

“And after Kepa refused to come off, my God, Sarri had every right to go for him. It’s about respect and Kepa made a fool of his manager in front of millions of people,”

“This when Sarri was already under huge pressure and on the brink of losing his job at the Bridge. The astonishing incident could and probably will end up costing Sarri his job.” Shearer added.

Maurizio Sarri is now on the brink of losing his job.