LONDON – Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri is uncertain if Kepa Arrizabalaga will start Wednesday’s Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur after the goalkeeper’s refusal to be substituted in their League Cup final defeat by Manchester City.
Chelsea fined Arrizabalaga a week’s pay, and he apologised.
Sarri said the Spanish goalkeeper would be mentally ready if he is in the starting line-up for the clash at Stamford Bridge.
But “I need to send a message to my group, whether Kepa is on the pitch or off it. I have to decide what’s better for my group,” the Italian coach told a news conference.
“I don’t know, I have to decide yes or no... it’ll be the decision of the group, of all the players.
“He made a mistake, there are some consequences. If it is to play, he has to be ready, if it is on the bench, then he has to be ready.”
Arrizabalaga appeared injured in the closing moments of extra time on Sunday, and Sarri ordered his substitution – only for the world’s most expensive goalkeeper to infuriate his manager by insisting he was fit to continue.
Sarri described the situation as a “misunderstanding”, and added his players were “shocked” by the scenes at Wembley.
🎙 Maurizio Sarri has arrived for his #CHETOT press conference... pic.twitter.com/hkdHy0bpOv
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 26, 2019
“It was a very unusual situation, so the players were very shocked. It was impossible to react immediately,” Sarri said.
“I spoke to Kepa, I spoke to everyone. He said sorry to the technical staff, but it wasn’t enough. He said sorry to the players and the club. We don’t want to kill him.”
Defeat by City in the title clash and Chelsea’s poor league form, with three losses in the last four matches, has heaped pressure on Sarri.
Sarri says Sunday was very unusual regarding Kepa and the other players were shocked so it was difficult for them to react to it. He confirms that the decision to fine Kepa is the board's. #CHETOT
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 26, 2019
But the former Napoli boss is not worried about his future.
“I’m not under pressure – you have to ask the club. I don’t know why you ask me. I want to win every match.”
Chelsea are sixth in the table with 50 points from 26 games.