SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 18 hrs 31 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
CL
Premier League | Gameweek 28
Feb 27, 2019 at 8pm UK
 
SL

2-0

Pedro (57'), Trippier (84' og.)
FT(HT: 0-0)

Chelsea drop Kepa Arrizabalaga for Tottenham clash

:Headline: Chelsea drop Kepa Arrizabalaga for Tottenham clash: ID:351735: from db_amp
Willy Caballero was named in the starting XI on Wednesday.

Kepa Arrizabalaga was dropped to the bench for Chelsea's Premier League clash with Tottenham after his refusal to be substituted in Sunday's Carabao Cup final.

The 24-year-old – at £71.6million the world's most expensive goalkeeper – was fined one week's wages and apologised after refusing to go off with penalties looming at Wembley, sending head coach Maurizio Sarri apoplectic.

Willy Caballero, who had been readied to go on against Manchester City, will deputise for Kepa at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

The incident was initially described as a "misunderstanding", but Kepa was subsequently fined by the club's board, with the sanction going to the Chelsea Foundation charity.

Sarri on Tuesday said the situation was "finished" and "we don't want to kill him", but the decision to omit Kepa from the starting line-up extends the fallout.

Sarri insisted he would take a decision in the best interests of his squad.

"It will be a decision for the group. For all the players," Sarri said on Tuesday.

"I want to send a message to my group. The message could be: Kepa is on the pitch or Kepa is out of the pitch.

Chelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero started in Wednesday's Premier League clash with Tottenham (Nick Potts/PA)

"I have to decide what is better for my group."

Shortly before the match, Sarri told BT Sport: "It's a choice. It's a message for my group. That we are a group and not 25 players. It's my choice."

Chelsea made four changes to the side which lost 4-3 on penalties to City at Wembley as the Blues played their first league game since the 6-0 loss at the Etihad Stadium, a result that left Sarri's position as head coach precarious.

Gonzalo Higuain returned up front, with Willian making way and Eden Hazard moving to his preferred left wing role. Mateo Kovacic and Marcos Alonso also came in for Ross Barkley and Emerson Palmieri respectively.

Spurs, who lost at Burnley on Saturday, made four changes, with Serge Aurier, Juan Foyth, Danny Rose and Jan Vertonghen out and Kieran Trippier, Davinson Sanchez, Ben Davies and Erik Lamela coming in.

amp_article__351735 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-02-27 22:41:46:
html db last update - 2021-03-04 18:06:26 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Kepa Arrizabalaga

Click here for more stories about Chelsea

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .