Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri has said there was a “misunderstanding” around the situation that saw goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga refuse to be substituted in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City.
Kepa appeared to be suffering from cramp after saving a Sergio Aguero shot in the closing moments of extra time but, with ex-City player Willy Caballero waiting to come on ahead of a shootout that Chelsea lost 4-3, would not make way.
His stance provoked a furious response from Sarri, who at one stage appeared set to walk out of the stadium before changing his mind and returning to the touchline.
“It was a misunderstanding because, by radio, I understood there was a problem and we needed a change, and I realised the situation only when the doctor arrived to the bench,” Sarri told Sky Sports after the match.
“So it was a big misunderstanding because I understood that the goalkeeper had cramp and was unable to go to the penalties. But it was not cramp and so he was able to go to the penalties.
“The goalkeeper understood that I asked for a change for his physical problem, and he said: ‘I haven’t a physical problem’ and so he was right, I think.
“I realised this after when the doctor arrived to the bench and, with the keeper with a little problem, I wanted Caballero to be ready.”
Sarri said he would talk to Kepa “but only to clarify, because now I have understand the situation.”
However, former Chelsea captain John Terry said Kepa had failed to show respect to Sarri.
“Once your number goes up, you have to come off and show a bit of respect,” Terry said on Sky Sports. “Deal with that after. That’s the last thing the players want.
“It’s certainly not the end of it — it has clouded a good performance. It’s taken the shine off a good performance. It’s disappointing. We’ll see what happens.”
Having stayed on the pitch, Kepa saw Sergio Aguero’s shootout penalty somehow squirm under his dive and, although he later kept out Leroy Sane, City prevailed.