Pep Guardiola said that Manchester City would be writing to the EFL in a bid to ensure Marc Guehi could play for the club in their Carabao Cup final against Arsenal
EFL sources have firmly stated that Marc Guehi will not be permitted to participate in the Carabao Cup final, even if they receive a formal request for a rule change from Manchester City.
Following last night’s 3-1 (5-1 aggregate) semi-final second leg triumph over Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium, Pep Guardiola indicated that City were planning to write to the EFL to discuss Guehi’s ineligibility.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “Hopefully we can convince the Carabao Cup that Marc can play in this competition [in] the final. It’s difficult to understand that the club makes a big investment to take one player, [he] belongs to us and I don’t understand why he cannot play in the final. Honestly.
“Hopefully we make a letter and hopefully the Carabao Cup can understand. Once you buy a player for a lot of money and he’s not able to play (because of) a rule that I don’t understand why. Hopefully they can change it and he can play.”
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Ahead of the 2025/26 season, the EFL actually revised their rules to allow players who have already participated in early rounds of the competition to play for their new clubs (following a January transfer), as long as they signed before the first leg of the semi-final.
For instance, in past seasons, Antoine Semenyo would have been ineligible to play due to the cup-tied rule, but this time he was able to take to the pitch for City against Newcastle, even scoring in the 2-0 first-leg triumph at St James’ Park.
Eddie Howe voiced his disapproval of the rule change prior to the match, stating: “It was nice to find out that rule had changed after finding out they had signed him,” he said during his pre-match press conference. “I have to say that’s one rule change I probably wouldn’t be supportive of at this current moment.”
While City have already reaped the benefits of the rule change, Guardiola still believes that Guehi should also be allowed to play against Arsenal at Wembley next month.
The first leg of the semi-final against Newcastle took place on January 13, but the England international didn’t finalise his move to the Etihad Stadium from Crystal Palace until January 19.
When approached by football.london, the EFL made it clear that they will stand their ground even if City make a request, meaning Guehi will have to watch his team-mates vie for the season’s first trophy from the stands in London.
The central defender is also unlikely to receive a medal if City clinch the competition, as he will not have played for his new club during the tournament.
The winners of the Carabao Cup are assured a play-off spot for next season’s UEFA Conference League – although Arsenal and City are still on course to qualify for the Champions League – in addition, they will also pocket £100,000 in tournament prize money.