Rodri returns, Rayan Cherki benched, Nico Gonzalez absent: Manchester City’s FA Cup final line-up explained
Rodri returns, Rayan Cherki benched, Nico Gonzalez absent: Manchester City’s FA Cup final line-up explained Manchester City will face Chelsea in the FA Cup at Wembley on Saturday evening as they bid for a second cup title in three months. The Blues won their first trophy in two seasons by defeating Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final at the national stadium in March and Pep Guardiola’s side could yet win a domestic treble in the final 10 days of the season. City enter the cup final off the back of back-to-back 3-0 Premier League wins over Brentford and Crystal Palace, the latter of whom saw the Blues make six changes to their starting XI with several key players rested for the battle against Calum McFarlane and co.
Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku have all returned to the line-up against the south-west London outfit, who will be desperate to take full advantage of their shot at silverware to put a happy turn on a hugely disappointing season. Guardiola said ahead of the final that he had a near fully-fit squad available amid doubts over the availability of Rodri, who missed City’s last five games after suffering a calf injury in April’s 2-1 win over Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium. A late decision was made on the Spain international’s fitness and ahead of Saturday’s 15:00 UK kick-off against Chelsea, Rodri has been deemed fit to start alongside City captain Bernardo Silva in the middle of the park in the English capital.
This is a developing story. More to follow.