Kepa Arrizabalaga insists he never intended to disobey Maurizio Sarri’s orders in Chelsea’s Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City.
The Blues boss was furious when Kepa refused to be substituted in the second-half of extra time on Sunday.
The goalkeeper had been treated for cramp and Sarri intended to introduce substitute glovesman Willy Caballero in his place.
However, Kepa refused to leave the pitch and stayed in goal for the penalty shootout, which Chelsea lost 4-3 as City secured back-to-back Carabao Cup triumphs.
Explaining his actions, Chelsea’s no.1 told the club’s website: “First of all, I have to say it was misunderstood. In no moment was it my intention to disobey, or anything like that with the boss.
“Just that it was misunderstood, because I had been attended to by the medics twice, and he thought that I wasn’t in condition to continue.
“It was two or three minutes of confusion until the medics got to the bench, and they explained everything well.
“This was nothing to do with the problems I had this week, with [my hamstring] it wasn’t that. And, well, it was misunderstood. Because he thought I couldn’t continue, and – fundamentally – I was trying to say that physically I was fine.
“I know if you see it from the outside, I don’t know how it went out, it is not the best image. I have spoken with the boss. I think it was misunderstood.
“I understand that on television, on social media, they’re talking about this but I am here to explain it, to say that it wasn’t my intention to go against the manager.
“We have spoken now, and I was only trying to say I’m fine. He thought I wasn’t fine.”
Kepa’s actions appeared to undermine Sarri, who could face the sack after failing to win the first major trophy of the season.
The Italian is under increasing pressure as Chelsea have lost three of their previous four Premier League games.
Sarri downplayed Kepa’s refusal to come off and claimed it was a ‘misunderstanding’.
The row is set to only increase speculation over Sarri’s future at Stamford Bridge.
Kepa added: “I don’t think it has to be the major act of this final. I understand we played a good level against one of the best teams in the world.
“We were close to winning, obviously we’re sad that we didn’t, and I think the team needs to continue playing like this, because today we’ve shown we can compete against the best teams.
“Among the negatives, we have to take the positives.”