BLESSING IN DISGUISE
Sarri says Chelsea ‘more united’ following Kepa commotion
CHELSEA manager Maurizio Sarri believes the Kepa Arrizabalaga furore has galvanised his squad. Kepa was fined and dropped for Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Tottenham for his refusal to be substituted in last Sunday’s League Cup final penalty shootout loss to Manchester City.
While Sarri insists the episode is over, he has yet to decide whether the world’s most expensive goalkeeper could return at Fulham today — with deputy Willy Caballero retaining his place after playing against Spurs — or be recalled for Thursday’s Europa League match with Dynamo Kiev.
“For the players, I think it was an experience useful for staying more united,” Sarri said.
“When there is a difficult situation, I think it’s very difficult for everybody, but it’s a big opportunity, also.
“You have to take that opportunity. Of course, it was really a very bad experience but I think we can come out of this situation better than before.”
Tottenham were Chelsea’s first Premier League opponents since the 6-0 loss at Manchester City which rendered Sarri’s position precarious.
The 60-year-old was widely expected to become the next Premier League boss to lose his job but instead that was Claudio Ranieri at Fulham.
The former Premier League winner was sacked following a costly defeat to Southampton on Wednesday, a result which left Fulham 10 points adrift of safety.
And the Chelsea boss expressed his sorrow at Ranieri’s departure, but added that he expects to see a reaction from Fulham under caretaker boss Scott Parker.
“I’m really very sorry,” Sarri said. “I know very well his character, so I know very well that we will see him very soon on another bench. It was really a very difficult situation from the beginning.
“Usually, when there is a change of coach, there is a reaction. So we have to front the reaction. Then it’s difficult for us to prepare the match to know their new systems and ideas.”
Former Chelsea midfielder Parker will take charge of the Cottagers today in his first match as a front-line manager but Sarri was sparing in his advice.
The Italian added: “To take this job, you have to love football, but you have to forget everything that is around football.
“I think so, otherwise it’s impossible to do this job.”