Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has released a statement denying that he challenged the authority of his manager by refusing to be substituted in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final in which they lost to Manchester City on penalties.
From the statement that was released by Kepa Arrizabalaga, the goalkeeper clearly misjudged the move to replace him by Sarri as due to a supposed muscular problem he had during the game, not knowing that it was more a tactical move for the shootouts. He said:
“I think everything has been misunderstood in the heat of the final part of a match for a title. The coach thought I was not in a position to play on and my intention was to express that I was in good condition to continue helping the team, while the docs that had treated me arrived at the bench to give the message.”
Clearly the physio did not communicate with the goalkeeper the intention of the bench and why he had to be substituted for Willy Caballero the second choice goalkeeper to come in. He said it was never his intention to challenge the authority of the manager, who was visibly furious at the unprofessional display by Kepa Arrizabalaga. He said:
“First of all I regret how the end of the match has been portrayed. At no time has it been my intention to disobey the coach or any of his decisions” he said
I know Kepa Arrizabalaga is trying all his best to defend his unprofessional display which will be a talking point in weeks to come, but one thing in football is, once your number pops up at the board, you have to leave the pitch immediately! You can go on and argue with your coach or ask him why you were substituted after you have left the pitch!!lol…
I feel for Chelsea fans though and for Sarri…that would have been his first ever trophy as a manager and Kepa Arrizabalaga took that away from him…lol…See the full statement:
“Upset and sad for not being able to take the title, we fought until the end against a great team. We will continue working to be stronger.
I would also like to clarify some facts of today’s match:
First of all I regret how the end of the match has been portrayed. At no time has it been my intention to disobey the coach or any of his decisions. I think everything has been misunderstood in the heat of the final part of a match for a title.
The coach thought I was not in a position to play on and my intention was to express that I was in good condition to continue helping the team, while the docs that had treated me arrived at the bench to give the message.
I feel the image that has been portrayed was not my intention. I have full respect for the coach and his authority.”