Chelsea’s Maurizio Sarri on Kepa Arrizabalaga’s Punishment

Chelsea won 2-0 against the Tottenham Spurs yesterday, February 27 at the Stamford Bridge Stadium where Maurizio Sarri was able to gain redemption from their loss against Manchester City last Sunday. Sarri decided to bench the 24-year-old Spanish goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga due to his rejection of being a sub at Wembley in the Carabao Cup.

The 24-year-old’s replacement, 37-year-old Willy Caballero took home a winning goal leading to a group tackle at the final whistle. Chelsea’s coach will reinstate Kepa back into his playing roster on Sunday’s game against Fulham or during next week’s Europa League match against Dynamo Kiev. Sarri wasn’t shy in admitting that he had no choice but to drop the £72 million goalkeeper.

The Chelsea coach says “It was really very easy because Kepa made a big mistake and then paid (a fine) with the club. In this match, he has to pay for the team. Now we stop the question, it is behind us and in the future, Kepa will be with us.” Sarri states his desire to move on from the punishment and elaborates on the need for young players like Arrizabalaga are allowed to make mistakes and doesn’t have to be penalized throughout his career for one mistake.

“He is still our No 1 goalkeeper. I don’t know if he will be on the pitch in the next match or not, but in one of the next two, for sure. We cannot kill him. When you are young, I think you can make mistakes.” Sarri adds.