Chelsea’s inspired performance in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City was overshadowed by Kepa Arrizabalaga’s refusal to be replaced in extra-time.

Maurizio Sarri called for Kepa’s substitution when the Spaniard went down with cramp, but he was met by screams of “NO!”

Kepa remained on the pitch for the penalty shootout, but Chelsea were beaten 4-3 after Jorginho’s effort was saved and David Luiz struck a post.

There’s no telling how Chelsea would have fared with Caballero in goal for the penalties, but the incident reflected poorly on the club nonetheless.

Alan Shearer believes it will end up costing Sarri his job and the Italian has work to do to prove that he has control of the dressing room.

It doesn’t set a very good example when an important player is defying the orders of the manager.

The fallout continued on Monday, with the Evening Standard reporting that Chelsea aren’t planning to discipline Kepa.

'Some players believe Sarri overreacted'

According to the Telegraph, Sarri held a team meeting on Monday as he seeks to keep his squad together.

But that could be difficult. The same report claims that Kepa’s fallout with Sarri has initially split opinion among the players.

Caballero, who had stripped off in order to come on, was upset that Kepa’s refusal to come off denied him the chance to face his old club in the shootout.

Eden Hazard, meanwhile, was ‘dismayed’ with the conclusion to extra-time. The Belgian believes he may have made his final appearance at Wembley for Chelsea.

A source told the Telegraph: “Some players thought Kepa was wrong, some thought Sarri overreacted and others were just annoyed with the entire situation.

“Now it’s a question of whether there is any lasting anger or whether everybody can calm down in time for the Tottenham game.

“The squad needs to come together because there have been too many players protecting themselves when things have gone wrong this season.”

The group of players who thought Sarri overreacted could include Chelsea’s Spanish contingent, who will likely support Cesar Azpilicueta following his argument with Sarri at the end of extra-time.

Kepa, Azpilicueta, Pedro and Marcos Alonso reportedly “stick tightly together”.

Meanwhile, Luiz, Gonzalo Higuain and Jorginho are all Sarri supporters.