Speculation over Sarri’s future continues as Spurs game approaches

Some of the stories in Tuesday’s newspapers involving Chelsea…

There remains speculation over the future of Maurizio Sarri and the possible repercussions of the extraordinary incident involving Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Head coach Sarri was under serious pressure even before keeper Kepa defied him by refusing to be substituted during Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City.

Chelsea fans jeered Sarri during previous games – which included a City hammering by City in the league – but his gameplan at Wembley worked well before the defeat on penalties.

Now the attention turns to Wednesday’s crucial league game against rivals Tottenham.

And the Daily Telegraph say Sarri could well be sacked if his team lose.

The newspaper declare that “any more acts of mutiny, either from his players or the fans” could “seal Sarri’s fate”.

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Chelsea’s former assistant first-team coach Steve Holland – now assistant to England boss Gareth Southgate – is in line to take over at Stamford Bridge on an interim basis, the Telegraph reports.

The Daily Mail say there are “more damaging splits in the Chelsea dressing room” as a result of Sunday’s incident.

The players are said to be divided, with some backing Sarri and others on the side of Kepa, who has been fined and issued an apology for his actions.

The Daily Express run a similar story, also declaring that there is a split in the dressing room and that some players are “furious” with Kepa.

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The Daily Star say Sarri will not drop Kepa against Spurs despite the incident, while The Sun say Sarri launched a tirade at him in the Wembley dressing room after Sunday’s game.

The Sun quote a source as saying: “First he screamed at Kepa by telling him it was the striker’s job to score and that he had the option to change one misfiring forward for another.

“He went on to say that keepers were in the same position — and if he believed another keeper could do a better job he had the right to make the change.”

The Daily Mail also say Sarri was furious in the dressing room and made his feelings clear.

Meanwhile, The Sun say Chelsea are ready to sell Kasey Palmer for £4m this summer.

Bristol City, where Palmer is on loan, are keen to sign the Blues academy product on a permanent deal.