BSP-01 Sarri mess for Chelsea as Kepa row overshadows Spurs clash

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FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA PREVIEW

Sarri mess for Chelsea as Kepa row overshadows Spurs clash

LONDON, Feb 26, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – All eyes will be on the Chelsea team sheet at

Stamford Bridge on Wednesday as the fall-out from Maurizio Sarri’s astonishing row

with Kepa Arrizabalaga threatens to cause further damage in a crucial London derby

against Tottenham Hotspur.

Chelsea boss Sarri was furious when Blues goalkeeper Kepa refused to be substituted

after needing treatment in the closing stages of Sunday’s League Cup final against

Manchester City.

Chelsea eventually lost 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw, but that blow paled

in comparison to the problems caused by Kepa’s rebellious behaviour and Sarri’s raging

response on the Wembley touchline.

Sarri was already fighting to avoid the sack amid reports the Italian has lost the

backing of his players due to his stubborn tactics, dull training methods and habit of

publicly criticising them.

The sight of Kepa staging a mutiny in the middle of Chelsea’s biggest game of the

season laid bare the problems Sarri has been struggling to resolve.

He tried to regain control of the situation by claiming the incident was a “big

misunderstanding” caused by a delay in getting information from the team doctor about

the extent of Kepa’s injury.

That hardly excused Kepa from such disrespectful behaviour and few could have been

convinced by the Spaniard’s insistence his actions were misinterpreted because he had

no intention of disobeying Sarri.

Meanwhile Watching Sarri rip open his training top and storm down the tunnel during

the Kepa row hardly inspired confidence that he has the composure required to navigate

such a treacherous predicament.

He looks set to remain in charge for the Tottenham match at least.

Now the question is whether Sarri, who said he didn’t plan to discipline Kepa, will

allow the keeper to retain his place in the team.

“What he Sarri has to do now is to make sure Kepa knows that he was in the wrong,”

former Chelsea star Pat Nevin said.

“That absolutely does weaken his position and make it look as if the player had more

power than him.”

– Insubordination –

Letting Kepa get away with such insubordination would be a huge gamble, even though

Blues defender David Luiz insists Chelsea’s stars still respect Sarri.

“I’m sure if Kepa knew the coach wished to change him he would have come off because

he is a great professional. He is a great boy and would respect that,” Luiz said.

“The coach has the power over the group. He has our respect.”

Sarri’s team have lost four of their last seven games, a painful period that has

seen them drop to sixth in the Premier League, crash out of the FA Cup and lose the

League Cup final.

It is even more frustrating for Sarri as Chelsea’s dismal run started just after

they showed signs of a revival by beating Tottenham in the League Cup semi-final.

That rare success is a distant memory now and Sarri must hope the Wembley fiasco can

somehow trigger a seige mentality in his team.

With Chelsea already three points adrift of fourth place, another defeat could be

the end for the sorry Sarri era after less than a season.

Meanwhile, Mike Dean has been removed from fourth official duties at the Bridge to

avoid further conflict with Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Pochettino marched across the pitch following Saturday’s defeat at Burnley to

confront Dean in a heated exchange that earned him an improper conduct charge from the

Football Association.

Pochettino was seething about key decisions that contributed to Tottenham’s first

defeat in five league games.

Tottenham are six points behind leaders Liverpool, but the one bright spot was Harry

Kane’s goal-scoring return after six weeks out with an ankle injury.

“We don’t always want to be having to react from a poor result. But we’ll dust it

off. We’ve still got a lot to play for,” Kane said.

“We’re in the hunt for the Premier League, we’re still in the Champions League so

we’re in a good place.”

BSS/AFP/AU/08:30 hrs