Patrick Vieira has jumped to the defence of Thomas Tuchel after his decision to bring Kepa Arrizabalaga onto the pitch in Chelsea's Carabao Cup final defeat to Liverpool on Sunday.
Kepa has a strong record in penalty shootouts in recent times, including in the UEFA Super Cup, where he was brought on for Edouard Mendy in extra-time and was then the hero for the Blues, who ended up lifting the trophy.
However, that was not the case on Sunday evening in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley against Liverpool. In the most ironic of ways, Kepa was the only player, out of the 22 who took a spot-kick, to miss - handing the Reds the trophy.
Sky Sports pundit and former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp slammed Thomas Tuchel's decision to bring Kepa on in extra-time, calling it "rubbish".
Redknapp said: "I don't like it. I think it is rubbish. Mendy is likely to save them, he is one of the best 'keepers in the world. I hope it puts it to bed now.
"I don't think it works and it is a rubbish idea. I did not like his [Kepa's] behaviour all the way through it. I think it is a case of being too clever for your own good. You're complicating it.
"He [Mendy] is a bigger 'keeper and there is no reason why they could not have won it if they had Mendy in goal."
Someone who does not agree with Redknapp's verdict is Vieira, who thinks the benefit of hindsight is a great thing.
"Football is a funny sport. When Tuchel did it last time and it worked everyone praised the decision," the Crystal Palace boss and former Arsenal captain said in his pre-match press conference on Monday.
"Today it doesn’t work and everyone questions it. It’s what we have to deal with, he’s the only one who can answer it. It’s not something I’d like to do or plan to do.
"If he did it he has his reason. It didn’t work this but that doesn’t mean it won’t work the next time."
The Spanish goalkeeper took to Twitter after the game following his decisive penalty miss and released a short statement.
Kepa wrote: "To fall and rise. Disappointed after big effort during the tournament. We keep working. Thanks @chelseafc family for your support."
The 27-year-old goalkeeper could get a chance to redeem himself somewhat on Wednesday evening as Chelsea travel to Luton Town in the FA Cup fifth round.
