LONDON (AFP) - Kepa Arrizabalaga's extraordinary refusal to be substituted by Maurizio Sarri in Sunday's (Feb 24) League Cup final heaps the pressure on the beleaguered Chelsea boss as he desperately seeks consistency.
The Spaniard twice required treatment late in extra-time against Manchester City at Wembley, with the match heading for penalties, so the Italian boss planned for his substitution.
Willy Caballero, who saved three penalties for City in their 2016 League Cup final win, was readied to go on, but Kepa declined to leave the pitch - sparking confusion and angering Sarri.
Even after the bizarre incident, the world's most expensive goalkeeper had the chance to be a hero.
He saved Leroy Sane's penalty in the shootout, but could have done better with Sergio Aguero's effort that slipped under his body as Pep Guardiola's side retained the trophy with a 4-3 shootout win after a goalless draw.
Victory at Wembley might have bought Sarri time, particularly coming so soon after a 6-0 humbling by the same opponents in the Premier League.
But instead the 60-year-old Italian, who is yet to win a trophy in his managerial career, must prepare his players to host high-flying Tottenham in the Premier League on Wednesday, knowing he cannot afford to slip further behind the top four.
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Sarri, Kepa and David Luiz, the closest player to Kepa throughout the incident, were "on message" after the match at Wembley, all insisting it was a misunderstanding, not insubordination.
"The coach has the power over the group. He has our respect," Luiz said. "For me, there is not a problem here for that. We all believe in his philosophy, we all believe in the way he wants us to play."
But former Chelsea skipper John Terry said the former Napoli coach was in a difficult situation, with the incident coming after weeks of speculation over his future and concerns over his style of play, dubbed "Sarri-ball".
"It leaves Sarri in a tough place," he told Sky Sports. "I'm surprised he didn't force him to come off." Ex-Chelsea striker Chris Sutton described the scenes as "mutiny at Chelsea".
"Kepa should be sacked, not Sarri," he told BBC radio. "He's been undermined - it's the worst thing that can happen to a manager."Â
Player powerÂ
Under International Football Association Board rules "if a player who is to be replaced refuses to leave, play continues" and it is not the first time it has happened.
In the Premier League in April 2017, while at Swansea, Lukasz Fabianski was injured in the 81st minute, declined a change in the 86th minute and conceded three goals afterwards as a 1-0 lead turned into a 3-1 loss to Tottenham.
Chelsea's history suggests players hold significant influence at Stamford Bridge. The hire-and-fire policy of owner Roman Abramovich means managers have a limited shelf life and players have previously exploited the policy.
This is not the same group as the one that defied Andre Villas-Boas or masterminded a Champions League win under Roberto Di Matteo, when the senior players were said to be more influential than the interim manager.
But the incident suggested there could be a leadership vacuum at Stamford Bridge.
Sarri replaced Antonio Conte in July and got off to a flying start, with Chelsea unbeaten for the first 18 competitive games.
But recent results have included the 6-0 mauling at City, a 4-0 loss at Bournemouth and a 2-0 defeat by Manchester United in the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge.
After the Spurs game, Chelsea have a run of what appear to be winnable fixtures before away matches against Liverpool and Manchester United in April.
But the question is whether Sarri still has authority in the dressing room and whether he will be given the time to turn things around.
Trust in players crucial: Nazri, Football News & Top Stories
OSIJEK, Croatia (Reuters) - Croatia and Hungary pulled away at the top of Euro 2020 qualifying Group E after victories on Saturday in what is shaping up to be a fiercely competitive pool.
Croatia survive England onslaught, thrive in extra time to
Ambitious Hougang show title promise, Football News & Top
May 08, 2019 · Toyota Motor forecast lower growth in operating profit for the current year on an expected drop in revenue and weaker vehicle sales in Japan and North America. Net revenue was forecast to slip
I MADE A HUGE PROFIT!! (RACING RIVALS PINKS) 🔹3000 sub goal
You know, I think Barca will be fine. 29 April 2013. By Nicol Hay. Football fans have a curious love for certainties - knowing that this player was definitely better than that one, that one club is clearly bigger than the other - that seems to be a product of the untidy nature of the game itself.
AC Milan Online v4.0 | The Archive
Manchester United will be aiming to move into the Premier League's top four when they travel to Fulham, live on Sky Sports from 11.30am on Saturday. United were 11 points off the Champions League
Fulham v Manchester United live in the Premier League - Live
Sports Women's World Cup: Germany snatch fortunate win over China. Germany opened their 2019 Women's World Cup campaign with a win, although the scoreline didn't reflect the true nature of the game.
Giulia Gwinn's goal helps Germany beat China to open FIFA
Eden Hazard can leave Chelsea if he wants, says manager Maurizio Sarri Eden Hazard has been linked with a move to Spanish side Real Madrid in recent months and the Belgium international had said
Eden Hazard should leave Chelsea if he wants, says Maurizio
Singapore Premier League side Hougang United have been forced to terminate the contract of their Brazilian striker Rafael Ramazotti after the Ramazotti, meanwhile, has been unveiled on Tuesday as a new player of FC Juarez, a Mexican club that plays in the second tier of the Mexican football
Rafael Ramazotti de Quadros - Wikipedia
As world leaders gathered for the UN General Assembly in September, we hosted the second annual Goalkeepers event in New York City on September 25 & 26, 2018. Speakers from around the world joined us for this two-day event, sharing their stories, ideas, and challenges. Watch clips from the 2018 Goalkeepers event here.
Goalkeeper - Wikipedia
Karim Benzema scored his sixth goal in four games as Real Madrid beat Alaves 3-0 on Sunday for a fourth successive La Liga victory. The win took the European champions to within eight points of leaders FC Barcelona. The French striker knocked a cross from Spanish left back Sergio Reguilon into the net from close range on the half hour mark.
Confident Real stroll to fourth straight win - Football News
LONDON: England captain Harry Kane has his heart set on ending his playing career in the United States kicking field goals for a team in the National Football League (NFL). Kane, the top scorer at last year's FIFA World Cup, has long been an admirer of American football and believes successfully switching sports late in his career will help
Harry Kane wants to end career as NFL kicker - dailyvoice.co.za
Hamilton foiled again in opener. Lewis Hamilton, second in Melbourne for the fourth straight year, spraying champagne on winner and Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas. The Briton's frustrating run
Hamilton foiled again in opener - theworldnews.net
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