'He's sorry' Chelsea's Sarri on Kepa's Carabao Cup antics

Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri will make a decision whether to start Kepa Arrizabalaga in Wednesday's Premier League clash with Tottenham based on the best interests of his squad.

Kepa refused to be substituted in Sunday's Carabao Cup final with Manchester City, which the Blues lost on penalties, and was on Monday fined one week's wages by the Chelsea board for the incident which angered Sarri.

"It will be a decision for the group. For all the players," Sarri said.

"I want to send a message to my group. The message could be: Kepa is on the pitch or Kepa is off the pitch. I have to decide what is better for my group."

Sarri says the goalkeeper must be mentally ready to play, but paused to consider his answer.

The 60-year-old Blues boss said: "He has to (be ready). He made a mistake, a big mistake.

"There are some consequences. If the consequence is to play, he has to be ready to play.

"If the consequence is the bench, he has to be ready to go to the bench."

Kepa had missed last Thursday's match with Malmo due to a hamstring problem and twice required treatment in extra-time, leading to Sarri's decision to replace him.

Sarri says he made the call due to fitness concerns, coupled with Willy Caballero's history with Manchester City. The former City player saved three penalties in their 2016 League Cup shootout win over Liverpool.

The Blues boss did not entertain the possibility that Caballero's presence may have resulted in a different outcome.

Should Kepa be omitted, with Caballero deputising, it would likely continue a furore which Sarri tried to draw a line under on Tuesday, albeit unsuccessfully.

Sarri added: "After yesterday for me the situation is finished. He is a young player, he made a mistake, but stop.

"I am sure he understood he made a really big mistake. For me it's finished.

"I spoke with the goalkeeper, with Kepa, of course. Then we spoke altogether, because he said sorry to the technical staff, but it was not enough.

"Then he said sorry to his team-mates, to the club. I think he made a big mistake, but we need to be tolerant. We don't want to kill him. So there is a position from the club."