The Hammers legend discussed the Blues goalkeeper refusing Maurizio Sarri’s substitution call during the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City.
West Ham United legend Billy Bonds has given his thoughts on the incident between Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga during the Carabao Cup final.
The Blues boss was set to replace the Spaniard with Willy Caballero as penalties loomed in Sunday’s showpiece against Manchester City at Wembley.
Kepa did not want to come off, which led to a seemingly furious Sarri beginning to head down the tunnel before coming back, and the first-choice keeper ended up taking part in the losing shootout.
The incident led to plentiful debate about whether the whole thing was just a misunderstanding – Kepa had gone to ground with apparent cramp before the substitution request – or whether it was disrespectful to Sarri.
Bonds, who captained West Ham and made a record 799 appearances for the club, made his feelings very clear when asked by Sky Sports News about how he would have acted were he Kepa’s captain.
“I would have got him off, I might have used my boot up the backside,” said the 72-year-old. “He was bang out of order. You just don’t do that. It’s embarrassing your teammates, it’s embarrassing your manager. It was a very arrogant thing to do.”
Bonds, who played for West Ham for over two decades and captained the team for one, will have a stand named in his honour at the London Stadium ahead of Saturday’s Premier League game against Newcastle United.
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