Monday 25 February 2019 23:31, UK
Paul Merson thinks Maurizio Sarri must "stay strong" and drop Kepa Arrizabalaga for being disrespectful, like George Graham used to do with him.
The Chelsea goalkeeper defied his manager by refusing to be subbed off in Sunday's Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City.
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Sarri has tried to play down the incident, calling it a "misunderstanding" but Kepa's place in the team could be under threat on Wednesday night when they face Tottenham.
Merson feels Sarri has to make a statement by replacing Kepa with Willy Caballero.
"I think the manager has to stay strong and tell him he's not playing - he's got to," he said on The Debate.
"If you're the manager then you've got to tell him you've shown me no respect otherwise the rest of the players will be thinking 'wow, come on'."
Merson - speaking from experience - openly admitted to disrespecting his former manager George Graham at Arsenal but he was punished instantly.
"I laughed at him once and I didn't play for two months," he said.
"And, we played Huddersfield in the League Cup and I walked straight down the tunnel. I didn't play for a month after that. I didn't show enough respect and got punished so you don't do it again, although I done it twice… so maybe don't use me as an example!
"You've got to give your manager the respect."
Former England goalkeeper David Seaman was also a guest on The Debate but he disagreed with Merson regarding dropping Kepa on the basis that Chelsea need to play their strongest side in their bid for the top four.
"If Chelsea aren't going for the top four it's an easy decision but they are, so they've got to play their best team," he said.
"It may show a bit of a weakness in Sarri but Kepa should play."
