Maurizio Sarri says Kepa Arrizabalaga has “paid to the team” after he was dropped for Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Tottenham, but insists he is still his No 1 goalkeeper.
Arrizabalaga was left on the bench after his show of dissent to the manager during Sunday’s Carabao Cup final defeat against Manchester City, where he refused to be subbed off, with Willy Caballero taking his place on Wednesday.
The Spaniard was fined a week’s wages, and now Sarri says he has paid further for the incident in being left on the bench.
Though he could not say if Arrizabalaga would be back for Sunday’s game with Fulham, Sarri insists the summer signing is still first choice, and will play one of the next two games, with Dynamo Kiev at Stamford Bridge next Thursday in the Europa League.
Asked if he is still No 1 at Chelsea, Sarri said: “Of course.”
He added: “I think it was the right decision, Kepa made a big mistake, he paid with the club, and then he had to pay with the team.
“But now I have to think we have to stop, Kepa from tomorrow will be with us. He is back in the team for the weekend, I don’t know in the next match if he will be on the pitch or not, but one of the next two he will [start].
“When you are young I think you can make mistakes, and the most important thing is that you need to understand very well after every mistake. For me, now the best thing is to close it.”
Asked if his decision was behind Chelsea’s improved performance on Wednesday, Sarri was adamant it was similar to Sunday’s showing at Wembley, and praised his side’s aggression.