LONDON: Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri said goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga had made a big mistake refusing to be substituted during the League Cup final but he was young and the club’s intention was not to “kill him.”
Sarri — speaking on the eve of their Premier League clash with third-placed Tottenham Hotspur — reiterated the board’s ruling that Kepa be fined a week’s wages for the episode.
Kepa, the club’s record £71 million ($93 million) signing from Athletic Bilbao, refused to leave the field to be replaced by Willy Caballero.
Sarri then stormed off down the tunnel in anger before returning — Chelsea eventually lost to City on penalties.
“I spoke with the goalkeeper, with Kepa, of course,” he said.
“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 taller. We don’t want to kill him. So there is a position from the club.
“For me the situation is finished. He is a young player (24), he made a mistake, but stop.”
Sarri, though, would not confirm that Kepa would be between the goalposts against Spurs.
It is a pivotal match not only for Spurs and their battle for the title but for Sarri’s side’s three way tussle with Arsenal and Manchester United for the fourth and final Champions League spot.
“I have to decide, maybe yes, maybe not,” said the 60-year-old Italian.
“It will be a decision for the group. For all the players.”
Sarri denied Kepa’s petulance and refusal to obey his orders reflected a greater malaise that he had lost the dressing-room.
“Did you see the match on Sunday? So you have the answer.
“After the game is the same. I think better,” said Sarri, whose side improved on their 6-0 league hammering by City a few weeks ago to only lose on penalties.
Asked if he felt the support of the players was now greater, Sarri said: “Yes.”
“I am not under pressure,” he added. “For me the pressure is a normal pressure.”
Maurizio Sarri says Chelsea aren’t out “to kill” Kepa Arrizabalaga
Maurizio Sarri says Chelsea aren’t out “to kill” Kepa Arrizabalaga
- Blues keeper fined for Sunday's outburst.
- Chelsea face London rivals Tottenham on Wednesday with Kepa's starting spot under threat.
Liverpool on the up as new signings hit form, says Slot
- Hopes of retaining the Premier League title were high at the start of the season after Liverpool splashed out nearly $605 million on new signings
- But bar some bright moments from Hugo Ekitike, the new faces struggled in the opening months of the season
LIVERPOOL: Liverpool boss Arne Slot believes the Reds will only get better in the years to come as a huge outlay on young talent in the transfer market begins to bear fruit.
Hopes of retaining the Premier League title were high at the start of the season after Liverpool splashed out nearly £450 million ($605 million) on new signings.
But bar some bright moments from Hugo Ekitike, the new faces struggled in the opening months of the season.
Alexander Isak has been beset by injuries since his British transfer record £125 million move from Newcastle and will miss most of the rest of the campaign with a broken leg.
But Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong have recently hit the form that saw them earn a move to Anfield during a 13-game unbeaten run for Slot’s men.
“If you look at the age of the signings, they will be better next season and the season after,” Slot said at his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth.
“We’ve spoken about Florian that he lacked goals and assists in the beginning but he was so close and even now he could almost double it with the chances he’s having or giving to his teammates.
“I can only see positives in this team in terms of progress but we have to adapt so many times in the season.
“We are already in a good place but this club will be a good place tomorrow and the day after and the day after.”
Liverpool’s chances of retaining the title are long gone with a 14-point gap to leaders Arsenal and their target switching to securing Champions League football next season.
Slot’s side sit fourth but only six points separate them from Brighton in 12th.
Liverpool also took a giant stride toward the Champions League last 16 with a 3-0 win at Marseille on Wednesday.
But the Dutchman does not expect to add to his squad in what remains of the January transfer window.
“That’s what I expect, yes,” he added on the prospect of no new signings this month.
“But as I always say, if there’s an opportunity in the market or we think we can strengthen, this club will try to do so, but at this moment in time I expect it to stay mainly the same.”
