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.
Thomas Mueller on Wednesday said he was "angry" over Joachim Loew's "bad taste" decision to axe him and Bayern Munich teammates Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels from the Germany squad. National coach Loew flew to Munich on Tuesday to tell Mueller, 29, Boateng and Hummels, both 30, that their international careers are over.
Thomas Muller now has more time for family after 'negative
Aaron Ramsey has decided to join up with Juventus on a free transfer next season, claims Sky Italia. After weeks of negotiations, the Italian giants have agreed terms with the Arsenal midfielder on a five-year contract worth around €40m.
Arsenal's Ramsey to signs €6.5m-per-year deal with Juventus
Chelsea's Callum Hudson-Odoi will undergo surgery after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon. The 18-year-old winger is set to miss the rest of the season after being taken off in the 41st minute
Chelsea's Callum Hudson-Odoi says his season is over - Sportstar
Football News -SINGAPORE - Dear Yoshida-san, welcome to Singapore.. restore the Lions' semangat, boleh? Tatsuma Yoshida was unveiled as Singapore's new national football coach on May 30, 2019
Football: Yoshida-san, restore the Lions' semangat, boleh
sportstoft.com/soccer/football-yoshida-san-restore-the-lions-semangat-boleh/
Agreeing to the initial two-year contract means you are essentially saying boleh, that you can deal with all these constraints and challenges and try and establish for the Lions a football identity that has been missing for years.
Football: Yoshida-san, restore the Lions' semangat, boleh?
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Pain management - Wikipedia
Jurgen Klopp hails 'best night' of his life after ending final hex Description: Jurgen Klopp had lost his two previous Champions League finals, against Bayern Munich as Borussia Dortmund boss in 2013 and last year against Real Madrid, as well as the 2016 Europa League final
Klopp hails 'best night' of his life after ending final hex
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/06/01/klopp-hails-best-night-of-his-life-after-ending-final-hex/
Klopp hails 'best night' of his life after ending final hex AFP June 1, 2019 AFP No Comments Madrid (AFP) - Jurgen Klopp revelled in the biggest night of his managerial career on Saturday after winning Liverpool's sixth Champions League title, ending a run of six straight losses in finals.
Football: Fandi Ahmad rues missed chances in U-22s' 1-1 draw with Hong Kong in opening AFC Under-23 qualifier Singapore's Young Lions training at the Geylang field on Feb 25, 2019. ST PHOTO
Fandi rues missed chances in 1-1 draw - theworldnews.net
Football: Guardiola expects Man City to suffer in tricky FA Cup trip to Newport Guardiola (above) has urged his players to adapt to a battered playing surface at Rodney Parade. PHOTO: REUTERS
Guardiola expects Man City to suffer in tricky trip to Newport
Secondary One Registration. Principal's Letter 58th Queensway School Speech Day. Principal's Letter Welcome back to Term 2. Update to timetable for 2019 Term 2 Dear Students, please note the highlighted changes in Term 2 timetable dated 17th March.
keep.google.com
I cannot stop Messi alone, admits Virgil Van Dijk. Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk insists he will not face a personal duel against Lionel Messi in his side's Champions League semi-final
I cannot stop Messi alone, admits Van Dijk -football- my.t
Getty Images. Fifa president Gianni Infantino has said a potential joint Korean bid for the 2023 Women's World Cup "would be great". On Monday, Hong Myung-bo, general secretary at the Korea
Infantino backs Korean bid for women's World Cup, Football
— Harry Kane (@HKane) March 2, 2019. Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino, celebrating his 47th birthday, had never lost a home league clash against Arsenal, but his side were always playing catch-up after Juventus-bound Ramsey, playing for the last time in the fixture, calmly put his side ahead in the 16th minute.
Premier League: Harry Kane and Hugo Lloris rescue point for
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