Kepa became the world’s most expensive goalkeeper when he joined Chelsea for £71m from Atletico Madrid the previous summer and went on to win the Europa League in his debut season.
The 26-year-old Spaniard was involved in an incident when he refused to be substituted during extra-time of the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City in 2019.
The game had ended 0-0, and Sarri who was concerned Kepa was suffering from cramp, called for him to be substituted for Willy Caballero for the upcoming penalty shootout.
However, Kepa ignored his manager’s calls and remained on the field for the penalty, which Chelsea eventually lost 4-3 in the shoot-out.
Kepa, talking to The Players’ Tribune, described the incident as ‘a big misunderstanding’ and apologized to his former coach.
“I tried to signal that I was OK, that I wasn’t injured. But we were at Wembley in front of more than 80,000 people, so of course Sarri didn’t understand me,” Kepa explained.
“When the fourth official raised the board, clearly I should have come off, and I’m sorry I didn’t.
“I was wrong, and I am sorry for everyone who was involved: for Maurizio Sarri, who it seemed like I had undermined in public; for Willy (Caballero), a teammate and a great professional; and for all my teammates and Chelsea fans who had to put up with everything – all the noise that was generated during the game and then in the days after.”
Kepa went on to say both he and Sarri quickly cleared the air afterwards and that he still ‘has a fantastic relationship’ with the Italian coach but admits the pressure outside the dressing room was ‘out of control’.
“For the next three or four days it didn’t stop,” Kepa added. “It was overwhelming. And clearly, most people who saw the pictures thought that I had disrespected Maurizio (Sarri).
“I felt misunderstood, because it had never been my intention to snub the coach. I had only tried to tell him I was I tried to explain this to the press, but I couldn’t.”
Leave a Comment