Chelsea Learns from Arrizabalaga “Misunderstanding”

The substitution scrap between Chelsea coach, Maurizio Sarri, and goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga, during a match against Manchester City on Tuesday, 26 February, has provided a valuable lesson for the team.

The goalkeeper refused to be replaced by Willy Caballero during extra-time in Chelsea’s 4-3 penalty shootout defeat, which led to Sarri becoming visibly incensed on the sidelines; later, the incident was downplayed as a “misunderstanding”.

Caballero, who has supported his fellow goalkeeper, said: “I think [Arrizabalaga] learned a lot from what happened, we learned a lot as a team … sometimes these things push players apart, but in this case, we are more together than ever.”

Despite Sarri benching the Spaniard for their game against Tottenham Spurs, the 60-year-old holds no grudge against him.

He said: “I don’t know if [in] the next match [Arrizabalaga] will be with us, but in one of the next two, for sure.”

The situation – which had the catastrophic potential to derail their title bid – has been contained for now.