🚨 César Azpilicueta has opened up about the infamous Kepa Arrizabalaga substitution incident in the 2019 Carabao Cup final.
Azpilicueta explained that he was playing at right-back on the opposite side of the pitch at Wembley and was completely focused on Chelsea's throw-in and the upcoming penalty shootout.
Because of where he was positioned, he didn't realise what was happening between Kepa and Maurizio Sarri on the touchline.
After the match, he went straight to fulfil his media duties and only later understood the full situation.
He admitted there was some shouting in the dressing room because emotions were running high after the defeat, but the issue was dealt with quickly. Kepa was fined, missed one game, and the squad moved on.
Azpilicueta said that as captain, he took responsibility as soon as he understood what had happened. He added that if he had seen the incident on the pitch, he would have gone over to Kepa and spoken to him.
He also explained that changing goalkeepers specifically for penalties isn't unusual when it's planned in advance. He pointed to Chelsea's 2021 UEFA Super Cup win over Villarreal, where Édouard Mendy was substituted for Kepa before the shootout, a decision that had been agreed beforehand and helped Chelsea lift the trophy.
@FootballByVigi Yh not for us I meant in general after the World Cup Vozinha had, he deserves to play regularly. I think he could play for Inter Miami maybe or even a French team.
🗣 Emmanuel Petit: "Maxence Lacroix to Chelsea? Forget it. There is a curse for French defenders at Chelsea. Since Marcel Desailly and William Gallas, they have all failed. How many central defenders do Chelsea have? Eight?."
@c_r_5@TeleFootball@Matt_Law_DT I agree about selection but Southgate never had a run like that. If Tuchel gets us to semi and loses to Argentina hard to say that a failure imo. Say if he got us 3rd place as well after beating Mexico and Brazil and maybe say Spain for 3rd.
Marco Palestra: “I like 1 vs 1’s, I am a player with personality. For me, this club is very important, and I’m very happy. I want to know all the fans and promise I will give all for this badge.’’
@Papeery@FootballByVigi@MaxFSport Idk if it’ll be true but the source he showed me is genuine. Let’s see. Obviously can’t argue with you not believing it. As I have doubts but seems legit.
Maresca: ‘’I recognise that my departure from Chelsea in the middle of the season caused disruption for the club and I apologise for that. It was neither my intention nor my wish. I was treated well by everyone at Chelsea and together we achieved great success and memories that I will always treasure. I am grateful to the club, the owners and the fans for giving me the opportunity."
(@mancity)
Enzo Maresca: ‘’At the end of December 2025, I made the difficult decision to leave Chelsea. The decision was only mine. My resignation from Chelsea opened a path for me to join Manchester City, which is a club I knew very well. I am ecstatic that I have now joined Manchester City.”