LONDON (AFP) - Kepa Arrizabalaga's extraordinary refusal to be substituted by Maurizio Sarri in Sunday's (Feb 24) League Cup final heaps the pressure on the beleaguered Chelsea boss as he desperately seeks consistency.
The Spaniard twice required treatment late in extra-time against Manchester City at Wembley, with the match heading for penalties, so the Italian boss planned for his substitution.
Willy Caballero, who saved three penalties for City in their 2016 League Cup final win, was readied to go on, but Kepa declined to leave the pitch - sparking confusion and angering Sarri.
Even after the bizarre incident, the world's most expensive goalkeeper had the chance to be a hero.
He saved Leroy Sane's penalty in the shootout, but could have done better with Sergio Aguero's effort that slipped under his body as Pep Guardiola's side retained the trophy with a 4-3 shootout win after a goalless draw.
Victory at Wembley might have bought Sarri time, particularly coming so soon after a 6-0 humbling by the same opponents in the Premier League.
But instead the 60-year-old Italian, who is yet to win a trophy in his managerial career, must prepare his players to host high-flying Tottenham in the Premier League on Wednesday, knowing he cannot afford to slip further behind the top four.
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Sarri, Kepa and David Luiz, the closest player to Kepa throughout the incident, were "on message" after the match at Wembley, all insisting it was a misunderstanding, not insubordination.
"The coach has the power over the group. He has our respect," Luiz said. "For me, there is not a problem here for that. We all believe in his philosophy, we all believe in the way he wants us to play."
But former Chelsea skipper John Terry said the former Napoli coach was in a difficult situation, with the incident coming after weeks of speculation over his future and concerns over his style of play, dubbed "Sarri-ball".
"It leaves Sarri in a tough place," he told Sky Sports. "I'm surprised he didn't force him to come off." Ex-Chelsea striker Chris Sutton described the scenes as "mutiny at Chelsea".
"Kepa should be sacked, not Sarri," he told BBC radio. "He's been undermined - it's the worst thing that can happen to a manager."Â
Player powerÂ
Under International Football Association Board rules "if a player who is to be replaced refuses to leave, play continues" and it is not the first time it has happened.
In the Premier League in April 2017, while at Swansea, Lukasz Fabianski was injured in the 81st minute, declined a change in the 86th minute and conceded three goals afterwards as a 1-0 lead turned into a 3-1 loss to Tottenham.
Chelsea's history suggests players hold significant influence at Stamford Bridge. The hire-and-fire policy of owner Roman Abramovich means managers have a limited shelf life and players have previously exploited the policy.
This is not the same group as the one that defied Andre Villas-Boas or masterminded a Champions League win under Roberto Di Matteo, when the senior players were said to be more influential than the interim manager.
But the incident suggested there could be a leadership vacuum at Stamford Bridge.
Sarri replaced Antonio Conte in July and got off to a flying start, with Chelsea unbeaten for the first 18 competitive games.
But recent results have included the 6-0 mauling at City, a 4-0 loss at Bournemouth and a 2-0 defeat by Manchester United in the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge.
After the Spurs game, Chelsea have a run of what appear to be winnable fixtures before away matches against Liverpool and Manchester United in April.
But the question is whether Sarri still has authority in the dressing room and whether he will be given the time to turn things around.
Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City must beat Liverpool on Thursday (Friday morning, AEDT) to sustain their English Premier League title bid. City shook off consecutive defeats to coast past Southampton 3-1 at St Mary's on Sunday, with David Silva and Sergio Aguero on target and James Ward-Prowse netting an own goal.
Pep Guardiola challenges Manchester City to beat Liverpool to
"Di Francesco will remain the coach who took Roma to the Champions League semi-finals after who knows how many years and he deserves credit for that. I know this isn't our best season and the job of a coach will always be tied to results." Former Roma midfielder Di Francsco helped the team to their last Serie A title as a player in 2001.
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We all have, or have had, people in our lives we think we know. People that we trust, that we put our faith in. People we've invested time and emotion into, who make us feel safe and comforted and cared for. These people are our lifelines and connections in a vast world of disinterest.
MADRID: Real Madrid have signed Serbia striker Luka Jovic from Eintracht Frankfurt for 60 million euros ($67 million), television channel Sky Germany said on Thursday. Jovic, 21, scored 10 goals
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Chelsea star Willian has been chosen to replace Neymar after the forward was forced out of Brazil's Copa America plans. Willian replaces injured Neymar in Brazil Copa America squad | Goal.com
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Brazil have called up Chelsea forward Willian to replace the injured Neymar for this month's Copa America, the Brazilian Football Confederation said on Friday. Neymar withdrew from the squad on Thursday after rupturing ligaments in his right ankle near the start of Brazil's 2-0 friendly win over Qatar the night before.
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