Pep Guardiola has urged organisers of the League Cup to reconsider its eligibility rules after Manchester City defender Marc Guehi was ruled out of the final against Arsenal, arguing the regulations unfairly prevent newly signed players from featuring.
Manchester City secured their place at Wembley with a 3–1 home victory over Newcastle United in the second leg of their semi-final, completing a 5–1 aggregate win and setting up a March 22 final against Arsenal.
Under current competition rules, Guehi is ineligible to play in the final having already appeared in the tournament for Crystal Palace earlier in the season. The England international joined City after the first leg of the semi-final, leaving him barred from selection despite being registered with his new club.
Guardiola questioned the logic of the regulation, suggesting it fails to reflect the realities of the modern transfer market.
“Why should he not play? We pay his salary, he is our player,” Guardiola said. “You sign a player for a significant fee and he cannot play because of a rule I don’t understand. Hopefully it can be changed.”
The City manager confirmed the club intends to formally raise the issue with competition organisers, though he acknowledged any amendment would require the approval of the Carabao Cup authorities.
“I’ve told the club we must ask,” Guardiola added. “Hopefully we can convince them that Marc should be allowed to play in the final.”
Whether organisers will consider altering or reinterpreting the regulations ahead of the showpiece occasion remains unclear, but Guardiola’s comments are likely to reignite debate over squad eligibility rules in domestic cup competitions.
