Jose Mourinho says it makes him feel “really sad” to see Kepa’s decision to undermine Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri in the League Cup final on Sunday.
Kepa defied his manager’s orders late in extra time after receiving treatment for an apparent bout of cramp, despite the fourth official putting up his number on the board and Willy Caballero being primed to come on.
After the Spaniard, who was within his rights to decline the substitution according to International Football Association Board (IFAB) rules, stood his ground, Sarri stormed off down the tunnel, furious that the change was not made.
Kepa stayed on the pitch as the first trophy of the season was decided by a penalty shootout after 120 goalless minutes at Wembley.
He saved Leroy Sane’s spot-kick, but Manchester City still won the competition thanks to Raheem Sterling’s decisive kick sealing a 4-3 win.
“I don’t like that he leaves his coach and the assistant coach in a situation of great fragility,” former Chelsea boss Mourinho told DAZN.
“Luckily, I never had to go through this.
“The goalkeeper wants to show his personality, his confidence, wants to show that he is there and wants to be at the shootout and make saves, and I like that.”