Why Kepa Arrizabalaga Really Defied Maurizio Sarri In 2019 Carabao Cup Final

Written By Onyeka Daniel

This Sunday, Manchester United will take on Newcastle United at the Wembley stadium in the final of this season’s Carabao Cup and it presents the Red Devils with the opportunity to lift their first trophy of the season.

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While players on both sides will be looking ahead to the final, one player who will be hoping to put his memory of the Carabao Cup Final behind him is Chelsea goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga.

In the 2019 final, it was Chelsea against City and the game was in the extra-time and headed for penalties, when the then Chelsea coach, Maurizio Sarri decided to substitute Kepa for Willy Caballero.

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But Kepa refused to make way on the field, resulting in a furious Sarri backing down visibly angered with his player disobeying his orders. The Spaniard did save one penalty in the shootout, but City ultimately won and Kepa apologised for his actions a day later.

Explaining what transpired that day, former Chelsea goalkeeper coach, Massimo Nenci, had these to say an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, Nenci explained that Kepa had been carrying a light injury the day before, but started the game:

“At the end of the 90 minutes he was receiving some treatment for the injury, and Antonio Rudiger said to him, “wait wait wait, we are in a difficult moment. We need you to stay on.” Kepa stayed there with the doctor, who said that his situation was good.

“But in extra-time Maurizio thought we should substitute Kepa with Caballero, because Caballero is a big penalty saver, and against City [his former club] he would have been perfect for us.”

“But Kepa didn’t understand that the substitution was for tactical reasons, not because of the injury. Willy is a big, big penalty saver. All the team was angry in the dressing room.

“But first of all, I want to tell you that Kepa is a very, very good guy. And when he recognised his mistake he cried, he cried. He is a very good guy. “He was saying, “I’m sorry mister, I’m sorry. I didn’t understand.”‘

Meanwhile…

EPL sides, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur aren’t giving up on their wish to sign Japanese midfielder, Daichi Kánada who currently plays for German side, Eintracht Frankfurt and is reported to be close to signing for another German club, Borussia Dortmund.

The 26-year-old Japanese midfielder is in the final six months of his contract at Eintracht Frankfurt and is almost certain to leave on a free transfer at the end of the season.

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He has scored 13 times in all competitions this season, thereby attracting the interest of top European clubs. Kamada’s representatives met Dortmund earlier this week and a positive round of talks took place according to reports.

Dortmund have offered him a five-year contract worth €5m per year and are pushing to sign him but nothing is agreed yet. Liverpool and Tottenham can probably offer him more but he would be able to be a regular starter with Dortmund, which could definitely influence his decision on his new club.

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