Kepa Arrizabalaga is reported to have told Willy Caballero he is the better goalkeeper in a dressing room row that took place following Chelsea’s Carabao Cup final defeat by Manchester City.
Kepa, the Spain glovesman, has been in the headlines over the past few days having refused to leave the pitch when Blues boss Maurizio Sarri ordered him to do so in the dying stages of extra-time of Sunday’s clash.
Caballero was stripped and standing on the sidelines ready to be introduced for the penalty shootout, but Kepa – who had twice gone down with injury – stayed on for the spot kicks; Chelsea ended up losing to City, though Kepa did save Leroy Sane’s attempt.
The 24-year-old has since come out and apologised for his actions, while he has also been fined by Chelsea for what Sarri has called a ‘misunderstanding’ between him and his No.1.
However, it is reported by The Sun that Kepa and Caballero clashed in the dressing room following Chelsea’s defeat – with the youngster telling his more experienced counterpart that he is ‘the better goalkeeper’.
Chelsea will hope to return to winning ways on Wednesday evening when they host London rivals Tottenham in the Premier League and Kepa has been dropped to the bench with Caballero starting.
Asked about his keeper situation in his pre-match press conference, Sarri refused to confirm his plans but it has now become clear.
“I don’t know, I don’t know,” Sarri said yesterday on Chelsea’s goalkeeper for this evening’s fixture. “I have to decide. Maybe yes. Maybe no. I think he is fit.
“Yesterday he had only a recovery training session, so we have to assess him, but I think so.
“I have to decide for my group. Not with my group. I want to send a message to my group.
“The message could be Kepa is on the pitch, or Kepa is out the pitch. I have to decide what is better for my group.
“It will be a decision for the good of the group. For the other players, all the players.”