This has really overtaken the result at Wembley Stadium. A game won on penalties between Man City and Chelsea is something worth the reflection. However, all it has been about is Kepa and Sarri.
Sunday saw Pep Guardiola and his Man City team retain their Carabao Cup after a nervy shootout between them and Chelsea. Sarri’s tactics and team’s display was worthy of a gold medal. Unfortunately, due to egos erupting on the field, the display has taken a backseat in the news.
What a show of different events for Sarri after changing things up. The game was well-contested and had to go all the way to a penalty shootout after completing 90 minutes of football and then extra time. After extra time, Sarri was about to make an intelligent move and switch to Willy Caballero in between the sticks.
Shockingly, the substitution could not be executed because of Kepa denying Maurizio Sarri from the pitch ahead of the penalty decider. It was not a good site. All the hard work and effort put in by the team to get that far against Pep’s men was overshadowed with one act.
The keeper Kepa later released a public statement – Taken from Sky Sports News:
"I think everything has been misunderstood in the heat of the final part of a match for the title. I feel the image that has been portrayed was not my intention. I have full respect for the coach and his authority."
Ummm… No, you don’t! What was done was disrespectful on many levels and certainly doesn’t justify his statement. In many ways, this could have been handled better. Willy was the right and only choice for the spot-kick battle.
He (Kepa) undermined both the manager and the player he was being replaced for.
BREAKING: Chelsea have fined goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga a week's wages after his bust-up with Maurizio Sarri at Wembley: https://t.co/wVd8ZGs91a #SSN pic.twitter.com/beddqmeFyy
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 25, 2019
The club did right by fining him
Early in the morning, Chelsea released the announcement that they have acted accordingly and have fined the 24-year-old Spaniard a week’s wages. It was the right thing to do and the only thing to be done.
If Chelsea somehow won the shootout, he should have still be fined by the club. Such behaviour must not catch the public eye. Not because of the look, but it raises further concern over your manager’s hold on the dressing room.
One observation was mentioned more than once, “does this mean Sarri has lost the dressing room.” Such a statement made after taking Man City all the way? Not good for Chelsea! Further action must be taken and he should also be left on the bench for a couple of games after receiving the fine.