Chelsea fans seem to have decided that Cesar Azpilicueta could have done a lot more to prevent today’s bizarre battle between Kepa Arrizabalaga and manager Maurizio Sarri.
The Blues goalkeeper refused to be substituted off in the Carabao Cup final, with Sarri having prepared Willy Caballero to come on instead as penalties were looming.
MORE: Video: Kepa winks at the camera after winning personal battle against Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri
Kepa just wouldn’t have it, however, and remarkably ended up staying on the Wembley pitch and playing in the shoot-out.
This is all hugely embarrassing for Chelsea as player power seems to have gone out of control at Stamford Bridge, and fans are pointing out that their club captain Azpilicueta should have been the man to try his best to ensure this didn’t get so out of hand.
Chelsea have had strong leaders like John Terry and Gary Cahill in the past, but a number of CFC supporters are now questioning if the Spaniard really has what it takes to wear the captain’s armband for the club…
Really have to question whether Cesar Azpilicueta is fit to captain this side. He did NOTHING to prevent that mess from occurring. John Terry would have carried him off himself.
— Talk Chelsea (@talkchelsea) February 24, 2019
https://twitter.com/ZachLowy/status/1099755953426219008
https://twitter.com/mightygeorgeng/status/1099758951657336834
https://twitter.com/2Point5Accas/status/1099758828432879616
Kepa shouldn't play again all season. Put himself above the manager but more importantly his team mates. Pathetic from azpilicueta as well shaking his hand should have carried the twat off by the ears.
— Kieran Harris (@kieranharris17) February 24, 2019
Kepa fucked up not listening to Sarri
Azpilicueta fucked up not backing Sarri
Sarri fucked up not taking control
There’s no sugarcoating it. This was one of Chelsea’s best performances of the season and they emerge from it an even bigger dumpster fire than they were coming in.
— Samuel Army (@thesamuelarmy) February 24, 2019
Azpilicueta should be stripped of captaincy, your manager wanted the player off… get him off!!! FUCKING hell Azpilicueta is a god awful leader.
— HUMANIST (W.C) ?? (@Regalinho) February 24, 2019
Kepa should be fined and Azpilicueta must never wear our captain armband again.
— bamozone18. (???) (@bamozone18) February 24, 2019
https://twitter.com/TheMicaiahOJ/status/1099758647612239874
https://twitter.com/WorldOfK_/status/1099758598870179845
If John Terry was our captain today, Kepa would've been sweeping streets of Bilbao by now. Azpilicueta has to take responsibility #CHEMCI #CarabaoCupFinal
— ameya (@ameyaelnino) February 24, 2019
Chelsea don't have a captain. Azpilicueta stood and watched Kepa disrespect the manager. Terry won't take that rubbish… Not even Cahill.
Smh— Nkurah (@6atet) February 24, 2019