Article by Aurelian Botezatu – Published on Thursday, 05 February 2026, 09:23 / Updated on Thursday, 05 February 2026 09:23
Manchester City qualified for the final of the English League Cup, after 3-1 with Newcastle (2-0 in the round) in the second leg of the semifinals, and Pep Guardiola wants the newly transferred Marc Guehi (25 years) to have the right to play with Arsenal.
Manchester City signed Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace after their 2-0 semi-final first-leg win at Newcastle but were not allowed to use him in Wednesday night's 3-1 second leg win.
The context? This season, the rules were updated to allow players to represent two different clubs in the competition. Antoine Semenyo, for example, played in both legs of the semi-final against Newcastle United.
Guehi's eligibility affected by a timing issue
However, Guehi's eligibility is affected by a scheduling issue. He was transferred after City's 2-0 win in the first leg, which ruled him out of the second leg and, by implication, the final against Arsenal.
Marc Guehi, Pep Guardiola's second signing of 2026, has been presented by Manchester City / Photo: X @ManCity
For the manager of City, Pep Guardiola, incomprehensible! “I hope Marc can play the final,” Pep said at the press conference: “You pay a lot of money and I don't understand why you can't use him in the final. We hope we can convince the people at the Carabao Cup. Sometimes it's hard to understand.”
Pep Guardiola's argument: “We pay Marc Guehi's salary, we hired him as our player”
The City manager elaborated on the situation, saying: “Apparently Marc couldn't play in the second leg because he didn't play in the first. Now it's the final. So why not play? Why not? We pay his wages, we signed him as our player. It makes sense.”
Guardiola has confirmed that the club will act. “We will send a letter and hope they understandit's that he can't play because of a rule I don't understand. Hopefully they can change it and he will be able to play.”
