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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