Pep Guardiola argues “it’s pure logic” for new defender to feature at Wembley despite eligibility rules.
Manchester City booked their place at Wembley with a commanding 5-1 aggregate victory over Newcastle United, but manager Pep Guardiola immediately set his sights on a different battle: the rulebook.
With a 3-1 win at the Etihad on Wednesday night securing a Carabao Cup final against Arsenal on March 22nd, Guardiola revealed the club will formally ask the Football League for special permission to play new signing Marc Guehi. The England defender, a January arrival from Crystal Palace, was forced to watch from the sidelines as he is currently ineligible for the competition.
The rule states that players joining after the first leg of the semi-final cannot feature in the remainder of the cup run. While fellow January signing Antoine Semenyo is eligible to play, Guehi is barred, a situation Guardiola called illogical.
“Why should he not play? Why not?” Guardiola argued. “He’s our player, we pay his salary, we hired him… I don’t understand the reason why he cannot play in the final of the League Cup in March when he has been here a long time.”
Acknowledging the appeal is a long shot, Guardiola admitted he doesn’t expect the rules to change. However, citing ongoing defensive concerns and the formidable threat of league leaders Arsenal, he insisted the club must try.
“Of course we are going to ask because it’s pure logic,” he stated. “But to change the rule, no way. But we will try.”
City’s smooth passage to the final now comes with a layer of administrative drama, as Guardiola prepares to make an emotional case for a player he believes has every right to fight for the trophy at Wembley.
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