Jose Mourinho gives surprise verdict on Kepa Arrizabalaga’s row with Maurizio Sarri

Jose Maurinho admits he LIKES Kepa Arrizabalaga’s Carabao Cup histrionics.

The Chelsea goalkeeper defied Blues boss Maurizio Sarri during extra-time of Sunday’s final clash with Manchester City.

Kepa, signed during the summer transfer window for a world record fee of £71million, refused to leave the field after Sarri’s decision to substitute him at Wembley.

Late in extra-time, Willy Caballero was primed to replace the Spaniard – ahead of a penalty shootout – with the ex-City stopper set to come on moments after Kepa had gone down complaining of cramp.

But he stayed on the field, after angrily waving away the substitution attempt in demonstrative fashion.

That left under-fire Blues boss Sarri livid – although the pair have both since attempted to play down the incident.

Kepa’s actions have seen him roundly criticised for his actions towards his manager, with ex-Blues skipper John Terry declaring: “Once your number goes up you have to come off and show a bit of respect.”

But ex-Chelsea and Manchester United boss Mourinho had a different take on proceedings.

Despite admitting the incident left him feeling “really sad” for Sarri, he praised Kepa’s show of defiance.

Speaking on DAZN, Mourinho said: “The goalkeeper wants to show his personality, his confidence, wants to show that he is there and wants to be at the shootout and make saves – and I like that.”

Mourinho left his second spell at Stamford Bridge in 2015, and subsequently claimed he had been “betrayed” by some players – just months after winning his third Premier League title.

But he insists he has never been overruled by a player in such a fashion.

“Luckily I never had to go through this.

“I don’t like that he leaves his coach and the assistant coach in a situation of great fragility.

“And his teammate, who was ready to enter the match, and who in the end saw himself in the middle of a problematic situation that had nothing to do with him.”

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