FA Cup final – Chelsea 0-1 Man City: Antoine Semenyo seals fairytale
Legendary United boss Sir Alex Ferguson once noted that clubs “never get full value” from signings made in the January transfer window.
City appear to have disproved this theory by not only purchasing Semenyo but also signing Marc Guehi after the England defender joined from Crystal Palace for £20 million.
“You can spend it, I don’t know how much money, if it works it’s cheap, you can spend less money, if it doesn’t work it’s not cheap, it’s expensive,” Guardiola said. “This is the tendency of all clubs to transfer players.
“Finally an opportunity arose for Antoine, which included a release clause and a final six-month contract with Crystal Palace. [Guehi]. with Reuben [Dias] and Josko [Gvardiol] “And everyone is available, maybe we don’t prefer Marc or Antoine, but we had the opportunity and with the current situation they were both outstanding.”
Centre-back Guehi became the fourth player to play for different winning teams in consecutive FA Cup finals after helping Palace upset City last season.
He was also part of the Eagles team that suffered one of the biggest shocks of the tournament when they lost 2-1 in the third round against non-league Macclesfield.
New Football Association rules allowed Guehi to play for City following his transfer, and he told TNT Sports: “They’re both equally good, to be honest. The game against Palace was a different affair. It was my first trophy.”
“They are both equally amazing this time, especially after the difficult season.”
Guehi also missed Palace’s celebrations last season as he spent the night in hospital after fracturing his eye socket during the match, and incredibly it looks like he could miss it this time too.
City are still searching for a treble at home, two points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal with two games remaining, and face a tough form trip to Bournemouth next Tuesday.
“Not even a beer,” Guardiola said of the post-match parties. “After next Monday [the final game against] Aston Villa, we will celebrate with the women’s team, the club told me that. [with] There are some parades in Manchester because we got to celebrate with both teams.
“No, no, no – I don’t have time [to celebrate]”
The Wembley win was also a memorable occasion for captain Bernardo Silva and John Stones, who left the club at the end of the season.
With Guardiola’s future also uncertain, the Spaniard could end his ten-year tenure in the same magical way against Villa next Sunday.
