Pep Guardiola Calls for EFL Cup Rule Change for Marc Guehi's Eligibility

Pep Guardiola has voiced his frustration regarding the eligibility rules preventing new signing Marc Guehi from participating in the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal. Following Manchester City's 5-1 aggregate victory over Newcastle in the semi-final, Guardiola expressed disbelief that Guehi, who joined from Crystal Palace, cannot play due to the timing of his transfer.

The rule stipulates that a player must be signed before the first leg of the semi-final to be eligible for the remainder of the tournament. Guardiola argued that it is illogical for a club to invest significantly in a player and then be unable to utilize them in crucial matches. He cited City’s other January signing, Antoine Semenyo, who is eligible to play as he signed before the first leg and successfully contributed to the team's progression.

Despite the setback, Guardiola remains hopeful that the club will appeal to the English Football League (EFL) for a rule change, underscoring the importance of Guehi's experience as City aims to compete on multiple fronts this season. With the final against Arsenal approaching, the team is preparing without one of their key new additions while looking to retain the EFL Cup title.