It’s the Carabao Cup for the last time and yes, Manchester City is in the Wembley showpiece event again.
Pep Guardiola’s hopes of an unmatched quadruple may be over after defeating Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final, but his love affair with English football’s secondary cup competition shows no sign of letting go.
Cityzens are aiming for four in a row against Tottenham, who will be led out in north London by Ryan Mason and not Jose Mourinho – who was sensationally sacked as head coach the same week the Premier League’s Big Six ‘tried to take part in a breakout Super League, only to see their plans go up in smoke after worldwide condemnation of the proposal.
Back to the fun stuff, here’s how Guardiola – rotation in mind ahead of a crisp Champions League semi-final first match with PSG – was able to line up his side …
Zack Steffen (GK) – Ederson would love to start in a cup final without a doubt, but the American deserves the opportunity to see this Wembley run to the end.
Joao Cancelo (RB) – Kyle Walker or Joao Cancelo? This is a dilemma that Guardiola faces every week. Both are world class, but it could be the Portuguese who get the nod here and Walker this week.
Ruben Dias (CB) – The stone in defense can have a good afternoon if Harry Kane is fit enough to start.
Aymeric Laporte (CB) – John Stones is suspended and unless Nathan Ake has done any miracles in training, Laporte is the man for the big moment.
Benjamin Mendy (LB) – Wouldn’t it just be like Mendy if he participated in a Wembley final and played a blind man? Go on, you know you want to.
Fernandinho (DM) – He may be 35 now and once hid his Shakhtar bonus payments in a pressure cooker, but is there anyone else you want for a big occasion? Probably not.
Ilkay Gundogan (CM) – The German goal machine seems to have lost touch in that regard, but he is still important for everything City do well. Kevin De Bruyne can be with, but start is very unlikely with what comes up.
Bernardo Silva (CM) – Two assists against Villa in the middle of the week sees the Portuguese get in shape just at the right time.
Phil Foden (RW) – Can Guardiola really deny Foden a start in the Carabao Cup final because PSG are on the horizon? Probably, yes, but English football’s brightest talent in several years can do wonders if given the chance.
Ferran Torres (CF) – Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero will want to start, but it is this gnawing feeling that Torres – who has not completely settled in City – will get the gig in a central role.
Raheem Sterling (LW) – It has been a challenging season on a personal level for Sterling, with his recent achievements not close to the high demands he sets for himself. What better way to prove the doubters is wrong than by running the show at Wembley.
