In the carbao cup match between Chelsea and Man City people witnessed something very peculiar. Something that is not very common in modern day football. With the match nearing the end of the prescribed 90mins + 30 mins extra time Kepa started to show signs of hamstring and cramp problem. Seeing the troubles of his GK Sarri called for substitution but Kepa refused to leave the field.He wanted to continue and the scenes turned quite dramatic for few moments.
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Even the referee John Mose was left perplexed at this situation. Although soon order was restored as Sarri had to bend his stance and Kepa continued in the match. Sarri left the stands for few minutes but returned back before the kicks from the penalty mark. Kepa also went on to save a kick from the penalty mark but that was not enough to take Chelsea over the line.
In his post match conference Chelsea boss sarri had the following things to say.
Sarri on Kepa: "You don't like to talk about football? It was a big misunderstanding. I thought he had cramp. I didn't want a GK in the penalty shoot-out in that condition. The GK wanted only to let me know he was OK. Kepa was right, in the wrong way, in his behaviour."
Sarri on whether he still has control of the Chelsea players: "If you saw the match, you can understand how the player played the match how we prepared yesterday. So I think it shows I am fully in control of the situation."
"I was really angry. I want to talk to him because he needs to understand we can get in trouble especially with you [the media]. I will explain the situation, without any other problem." Sarri says he wouldn't have brought Caballero on if he hadn't thought Kepa was injured.
I think Sarri should have prior consulted Kepa before calling in for the substitute. This kind of secnes brings bad name to the player, coach , the club and even the game.