Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was reinstated for the Premier League match against Fulham after serving a one-game suspension stemming from a disciplinary incident during the League Cup final.
The decision followed manager Maurizio Sarri's decision to bench the Spanish custodian for the 2-0 victory over Tottenham, a move triggered by Kepa's refusal to be substituted during last weekend's 2-1 defeat to Manchester City at Wembley.
Sarri, under pressure amid a challenging season, took the step to reaffirm his authority after the incident, with veteran Willy Caballero stepping in as replacement. Caballero's composed performance contrasted with Kepa's frustration on the bench.
Despite the suspension, Sarri confirmed Kepa remained the club's first-choice goalkeeper, citing plans to start him in either the Fulham game or the upcoming Europa League match against Dynamo Kiev.
The move underscores the intense pressure on Chelsea's management as they compete for a top-four finish in the Premier League.
