Willy Caballero looked ‘distraught’ after Kepa Arrizabalaga refused to be substituted in Chelsea’s Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City, according to reports.
The game ended goalless after 90 minutes and with penalties looming in the second half of extra time, Maurizio Sarri opted to change Kepa for Caballero. But Kepa refused to leave the pitch and after a period of confusion between referee Jon Moss and Sarri, the Spaniard remained on the pitch while Caballero returned to the bench.
According to Sky Sports’ touchline reporter, Caballero looked ‘distraught’ by Kepa’s actions as he was forced to watch the rest of the game from the bench.
But as the players were preparing for penalties, Caballero approached Kepa and shook the 24-year-old’s hand. Several members of Chelsea’s coaching staff also approached Kepa and patted him on the back.
Sarri, meanwhile, has played down the incident and insists a delay in information he received from Chelsea’s team doctor caused the confusion.
‘I misunderstood the problem and only realised the situation when the doctor arrived at the bench,’ said Sarri. ‘It was a big misunderstanding because I understood the keeper had cramp and was unable to go to the penalties. ‘But it was not cramp and could go to the penalties.’