LONDON • Maurizio Sarri has yet to decide if Kepa Arrizabalaga will start today's Premier League game against Tottenham Hotspur, with the beleaguered Chelsea head coach to make his decision for the collective good of his group.
Arrizabalaga apologised to Sarri, the technical staff, teammates and supporters on Monday for refusing to be substituted in the final minute of extra time in the League Cup final defeat by Manchester City on Sunday.
The 24-year-old Spaniard, who saved one penalty and might have denied Sergio Aguero in the shoot-out, was fined a week's wages around £190,000 (S$337,700) for an act of petulance which had very publicly undermined Sarri's authority.
Chelsea had been keen to draw a line under the incident, issuing statements on Monday from the head coach and player while confirming the sanction.
Yet Sarri, who goes into the Spurs fixture fighting to retain his position after recent damaging results, offered the world's most expensive goalkeeper no guarantees that he would retain his place.
Asked whether Arrizabalaga would start, the Italian said: "I don't know. I have to decide. Maybe yes. Maybe no. I think he is fit. I have to decide what is better for my group.
"He made a mistake. A big mistake. There are some consequences. If the consequence is to play, he has to be ready to play. If the consequence is the bench, he has to be ready to go to the bench."
Sarri, who tends to reveal his selections to his team close to kick-off, rejected the notion that Arrizabalaga's dissent had exposed a lack of respect in which the head coach is held by the senior squad, and insisted he remained in control.
PRICE TO PAY
He made a mistake. A big mistake. There are some consequences. If the consequence is to play, he has to be ready to play. If the consequence is the bench, he has to be ready to go to the bench.
MAURIZIO SARRI, Chelsea manager, on Kepa disobeying a substitution order during the League Cup final defeat.
"It was a very unusual situation so the players were very shocked. It was impossible to react immediately," said the 60-year-old.
"I spoke to Kepa, I spoke to everyone. He said sorry to the technical staff, but it wasn't enough.
"He said sorry to the players and the club. We don't want to kill him."
The League Cup final loss to City and Chelsea's poor league form, with three losses in the last four matches, has heaped pressure on Sarri, but the former Napoli boss is not worried about his future.
"I'm not under pressure, you have to ask the club. I don't know why you ask me. I want to win every match," he said.
Defender David Luiz insisted that the players are still on Sarri's side.
"The coach has the power over the group. He has our respect," the Brazilian said.
"For me, there is not a problem here for that. We all believe in his philosophy, we all believe in the way he wants us to play."
A defeat by Spurs could leave the Blues six points adrift of the top four. They are sixth on 50 points, 10 behind third-placed Tottenham and they trail Arsenal, in fourth, by three.
Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino, meanwhile, has accepted an Football Association (FA) charge of improper conduct for confronting referee Mike Dean after last Saturday's shock 2-1 Premier League defeat, ostensibly over the corner that led to Burnley's opening goal.
The Argentinian was charged over two breaches of the FA's Rule E3, which concerns general behaviour and faces the prospect of a fine or a touchline ban.
He has publicly apologised to Dean.
THE GUARDIAN, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
CHELSEA V TOTTENHAM
Singtel TV Ch103 & StarHub Ch228, tomorrow, 3.50am
Champions League news: "Our defence looked like schoolboys against Liverpool", says Barcelona star Luis Suarez
Lionel Messi loves scoring against Real Madrid. The Barcelona superstar struck from the penalty spot in the second half of El Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, notching his 17th goal against Los Blancos in LaLiga.
Messi notches 50th career hat-trick as La Liga leaders
Football News: Christian Eriksen's 88th-minute goal finally broke Brighton and Hove Albion's brave resistance to give Tottenham Hotspur a precious 1-0 victory on Tue late goal secures precious
Soccer: Eriksen's late goal secures precious win for
Harry Kane out until March with ankle injury. Kane sustained the injury to his left ankle in the closing moments of the 1-0 loss at Wembley and scans have now confirmed the extent of the problem.
Football: Spurs star Kane out until March with ankle injury
Eleven Sports is the only place to watch the 2018 PGA Championship (Picture: Getty Images) There is a new player in the sports broadcasting market in the UK as Eleven Sports begins to make a
Eleven Sports Usa
elevensportsusa.com
with a fresh, fan-first approach, we create engagement around your favorite sports so you can get up-close and personal with all the action. ELEVEN SPORTS is a pioneering and award-winning global sports provider dedicated to delivering world-class domestic and international sports and lifestyle entertainment.
Which sport are you made for? Take our 60-second test - bbc.com
Berlin: Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund have insisted Chelsea-target Christian Pulisic will not be allowed to leave in the January transfer window. File image of Christian Pulisic. Reuters According to British media reports, Chelsea are interested in the 20-year-old US international, but Dortmund, who want 50 million euros ($56.8m) for the
Chelsea target Pulisic not for sale in January: Dortmund
Investigators searching for a lost plane carrying Premier League soccer player Emiliano Sala say an underwater search would begin after they found two seat cushions on the French coast that likely
Plane Cushions Found in Search for Missing Soccer Player Sala
Top 10 Greatest Comebacks In Football History - YouTube
SINGAPORE - Our Tampines Hub will be screening the Uefa Champions League final for free on Sunday (June 2). Tampines residents and visitors to the Hub can catch the 3am game between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at the Town Square, which can seat 5,000 and will be open to full capacity to allow as many football fans as possible to attend.
Our Tampines Hub to screen Champions League showdown on
By Brian Homewood. PORTO (Reuters) - Portugal coach Fernando Santos believes that talismanic forward Cristiano Ronaldo can continue playing at the highest level for both club and country for at least three to four years.
Flipboard: Portugal coach says Ronaldo can stay at the top
MANCHESTER: Manchester City celebrated their domestic treble with an open-top bus parade on Monday, drawing an estimated 100,000 fans to the streets of the city centre. Pep Guardiola's City side
Treble Winners Manchester City Enjoy Parade | Football News
Arsenal 2-3 Crystal Palace: Gunners suffer SHOCK defeat to dent Champions League hopes ARSENAL's Champions League qualification hopes were dented by Crystal Palace thanks to goals from Christian
How Man City should line up against Crystal Palace in the
Football: Gonzalo Higuain must earn permanent Chelsea deal
0 comments:
Post a Comment