How Sarri ignored advice to force Kepa’s ill-fated Chelsea move
Former Chelsea goalkeeping coach Christophe Lollichon revealed that Maurizio Sarri rejected a return for Petr Čech and insisted on signing Kepa Arrizabalaga based entirely on a single impressive performance, ignoring expert advice that the Spaniard did not fit his tactical system.
Former Chelsea goalkeeping coach Christophe Lollichon has revealed that former manager Maurizio Sarri ignored expert recruitment advice during the club’s search to replace Thibaut Courtois.
Lollichon had prioritized a sensational return for club legend Petr Čech, placing Kepa Arrizabalaga lower on his wishlist. However, Sarri immediately dismissed the Čech option during their initial meeting, altering the club’s transfer trajectory.
The Italian manager instead fixated on Kepa, recalling a spectacular performance the Spaniard put on against his previous team.
Despite Lollichon warning that Kepa’s profile was fundamentally unsuited to Sarri’s tactical model of play, the manager remained swayed by those individual saves.
Chelsea ultimately triggered Kepa’s world-record £71.6 million release clause, initiating a turbulent Stamford Bridge tenure.
