Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
‘There's a lack of respect' - BBC pundit gives Chelsea verdict on Maurizio Sarri bust-up
CHELSEA keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga outlined the chasm between Maurizio Sarri and his players on Sunday as he refused to be substituted during the Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City.
That is the opinion of BBC Sport pundit Jermaine Jenas.
Chelsea lost 4-3 on penalties in the first silverware showdown of the season but the main talking from the match was the bust-up between Arrizabalaga and Sarri.
In what was a largely uneventful contest, penalties loomed as Arrizabalaga went down with one minute to play in extra-time.
It appeared that the Spanish keeper had cramp as he laid with his legs stretched out on the Wembley turf.
Noticing his keeper’s distress, Sarri called on Willy Caballero from the bench to replace the 24-year-old.
But Arrizabalaga quickly rose to his feet and stunningly refused his manager’s command.
The fourth official held up Arrizabalaga’s number on the board and the stadium announcer began to read out the substitution, but stopped a stand-off ensued.
For one of the players to really go against Sarri on such a public stage doesn't sit well with me
Sarri lost his rag at the decision, walking down the tunnel before resuming his spot in the technical area.
Former Tottenham midfielder Jenas lambasted Arrizabalaga for the incident, believing it outlines the disharmony between Sarri and his players.
“For one of the players to really go against Sarri on such a public stage doesn't sit well with me,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“The fact he went inside and was not out there with his players is one thing, but it has to be infuriating for one of your players to categorically tell you to do one and say I'm staying on this pitch.
“It happened, it's not pretty. This is a huge blemish. It all boils down to what is going on between Sarri and his players.
“That does not happen - there's a lack of respect someway along the line.”
Arrizabalaga almost justified his adamancy to stay on, saving Leroy Sane’s spot-kick after allowing Sergio Aguero’s effort to sneak underneath him.
But misses from Jorginho and David Luiz gave Raheem Sterling the chance to win the game and he obliged, slamming home an emphatic penalty.