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.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was a guest on Talksport on Monday, and the former Chelsea striker discussed his former club's success in winning the Premier League this season. Hasselbaink is now the
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Pochettino loses his cool as Spurs slump, Huddersfield closer to relegation while Huddersfield were pushed closer to relegation by their 2-0 loss at Newcastle on Saturday. bottom of the
Pochettino loses his cool as Spurs slump, Huddersfield closer
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - David Beckham called his former team LA Galaxy his "family" and thanked Los Angeles for embracing him at the unveiling of his statue before the Major League Soccer club's
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David de Gea: A world class goalkeeper making mistakes - not one in permanent decline There is no question De Gea's standards have dipped this season but the finger of blame at Manchester United
Man Utd fans split on blaming De Gea or Herrera for Mustafi's
Bayern Munich star Thomas Muller has expressed his anger following Germany manager Joachim Low's decision to axe both him and two of his World Cup winning team-mates from the national team.
World Cup winner Thomas Muller blasts Loew for 'bad taste
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri deserves time and trust from the club to iron out flaws in his possession-based playing style and make the club consistent again, former striker Jimmy Floyd
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Football News -LONDON (AFP) - Jurgen Klopp has vowed that Liverpool will remain positive as they battle for the Premier League title despite a wobble that has enabled Manchester City to seize the
Liverpool staying positive despite blip, says Klopp - World
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/03/05/liverpool-staying-positive-despite-blip-says-klopp/
Liverpool staying positive despite blip, says Klopp AFP March 5, 2019 AFP No Comments London (AFP) - Jurgen Klopp has vowed that Liverpool will remain positive as they battle for the Premier League title despite a wobble that has enabled Manchester City to seize the initiative.
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Play at 'world-class' level, Poch tells Spurs. Christian Eriksen (carrying Dele Alli) and Son Heung-min scored the goals in Tottenham's 2-0 win over Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
Poch Tells Tottenham To Purchase Players - Sky News
FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, said a majority of national soccer federations were in favour of expanding the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to 48 teams. Infantino said a decision would be made by March, although it was still not clear whether an enlarged tournament would be feasible as it would be
Infantino says he has wide support for 48-team World Cup in
jordantimes.com/news/sports/infantino-says-he-has-wide-support-48-team-world-cup-qatar
DOHA — FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Thursday that a majority of national football federations were in favour of expanding the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to 48 teams.Infantino said a decision would be made by March, although it was still not clear whether an enlarged tournament would be feasible as it would be "difficult" to stage in Qatar alone.
Infantino says he has wide support for 48-team World Cup in
Valencia eased into the semi-finals of the Europa League for the first time in five years with a comfortable 2-0 win at home to fellow Spanish side Villarreal in heavy rain on Thursday for a resounding 5-1 aggregate scoreline.
Valencia vs. Villarreal - Football Match Summary - April 18
Apr 02, 2019 · Pochettino wants big-club vision as Spurs stadium opens new chapter when he called on Levy to "be brave and take risks if we want to be real contenders for big trophies". Pochettino
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