Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga insists he did not mean “disobey” manager Maurizio Sarri by refusing to be substituted in the EFL Cup final defeat to Manchester City.
The Spaniard looked set to be hooked in the final minutes of extra time after struggling with an injury, but refused to leave the field when Sarri tried to bring on reserve ‘keeper Willy Caballero.
That prompted a lengthy stand-off, with Sarri fuming on the touchline, but the Italian said afterwards that the situation had been a misunderstanding.
Speaking to the club’s website after the game, which Chelsea lost 4-3 on penalties, Kepa backed his manager’s line.
“First of all, I have to say it was misunderstood,’ Kepa said. “In no moment was it my intention to disobey, or anything like that with the boss. Just that it was misunderstood, because I had been attended to by the medics twice, and he thought that I wasn’t in condition to continue.
“It was two or three minutes of confusion until the medics got to the bench, and they explained everything well.
“I know if you see it from outside, I don’t know how it went out, it is not the best image. I have spoken with the boss. I think it was misunderstood.
“I understand that on television, on social media, they’re talking about this but I am here to explain it, to say that it wasn’t my intention to go against the manager. We have spoken now, and I was only trying to say I’m fine. He thought I wasn’t fine.”
