When it comes to late-season drama, Man City are connoisseurs of chaos, and Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Southampton only thickened the plot. While the stalemate did little to grease their slide into next season’s Champions League, it did ignite the ultimate parlor game—guessing Pep Guardiola’s FA Cup final lineup.
Man City defense: Steady hands or tactical roulette?
Man City has an enviable buffet of defenders, but as Pep tucks into his selection platter, the big question is — will he go with seasoned steak or experimental soufflé? Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji seem nailed tighter than a Victorian floorboard, but Josko Gvardiol’s positional mystery tour continues. Left back? Center back? Goalkeeper by Tuesday? Nothing’s off the table with Man City. Poor Nico O’Reilly might feel hard done by, especially after Crystal Palace toyed with him like a cat with string last month.
Man City midfield: The braintrust or the wildcard?
Kevin De Bruyne, Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva have been the cerebral cortex of Man City’s recent charge. Silva, in particular, has scampered about with such verve it’s as though Pep winds him up like an antique clock before kick-off. Ilkay Gundogan lurks with the quiet menace of a man who’s written ‘Final Winner’ in his diary every May since 2018 —don’t rule him out either.
City attack: Fireworks or fine-tuning?
Let’s be clear — Erling Haaland starts. The man could turn up in a tuxedo, and Pep would still pencil him in to lead the line. But around him? Cue the conundrum. Jeremy Doku is the human equivalent of a Red Bull, Jack Grealish offers hair and hold-up play in equal measure, and Marmoush sounds like something served on a mezze platter but has dazzled in recent cameos.
For Man City, the FA Cup final isn’t just a trophy hunt — it’s a chess match with Pep’s ever-spinning Rolodex of talent. One thing is certain: expect the unexpected. And bring aspirin.
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