Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri says under fire goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has “paid the cost” after he was left on the bench for the Blues 2-0 victory over North London side Tottenham Hotspur, but claims the Spaniard is still his first choice goalkeeper, according to Myphonefootball.
Arrizabalaga, 24, was dropped after his dissent display to the Italian tactician during Sunday’s League cup final loss against Premier League rivals Manchester City, where the goalie refused to be substituted, with second choice goalkeeper Willy Caballero replacing him on Wednesday night.
The shot-stopper was slapped with a week’s wage fine, and now his boss says he has paid more for the “ugly” incident by being dropped for the Spurs encounter.
Though Sarri could not say specifically if Kepa would return for Sunday’s Premier League tie with local rivals Fulham, when betbrain.co.uk will be providing decent betting odds ahead of the game. The manager insists the goalie is still his number one choice and will feature in one of the Blues next two matches, with Ukrainian side Dynamo Kiev visiting Stamford Bridge next Thursday night in the UEFA Europa League.
The manager was questioned if his decision was one of the reasons his team improved their performance against Spurs, the tactician was adamant the performance on the night was similar to their showing on Sunday at Wembley Stadium, and further praised his team’s aggression against Spurs.
Pedro’s goal and a Kieran Trippier own goal handed the West London club the three maximum points, leaving the Blues firmly in the chase for a top four spot.
It has also eased the severe heat on the former Napoli boss in a way, and the tactician disclosed he had talked to the club hierarchy recently, and he doesn’t feel his position was under pressure, as was suggested by the media.
It was crystal clear prior to kick-off that the Blues faithful were divided on Kepa-Sarri gate. Both goalkeeper’s name announcements were cheered by fans, and a fast scrawl through the internet saw an equal number of those praising the manager for stamping down his authority and those being displeased at ‘throwing away’ a match against a major rival.
The routine pre-match warm-ups were as professional as possible; the coaching focus was on the goalkeeper on the night Willy Caballero as under-fire Kepa turned provider during the drills.
