Maurizio Sarri has decided to bench goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga for Chelsea’s home game against Tottenham Hotspur, after his antics in the Carabao Cup final.
Chelsea go into Wednesday night’s London derby against Tottenham Hotspur, without their first-choice goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. The world’s most expensive goalkeeper has been benched by manager Maurizio Sarri, after he refused to come off in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City. Willy Caballero replaces the Spaniard in goal.
There is one alteration in the backline for the Blues, with Marcos Alonso coming back into the starting XI at left-back, replacing Emerson Palmieri who had been quite solid in the past two games. Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger all keep their spots in the lineup.
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There is a solitary change in the middle of the park as well, with on-loan Real Madrid star Mateo Kovacic returning to the starting setup. English international Ross Barkley drops to the bench and will provide options to the manager along with academy graduate Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Eden Hazard moves out to his natural position on the left flank, having started as a false-nine against City on Sunday. Gonzalo Higuain returns to the starting lineup to spearhead the attack, while Pedro holds on to his place on the right wing, ahead of Willian and Callum Hudson-Odoi, both of whom are on the bench.
