Man City joke, Rodri update, Chelsea preview - Everything Pep Guardiola said in press conference

Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola has previewed Saturday's FA Cup final against Chelsea this afternoon as the Blues return to Wembley Stadium

Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola has spoken ahead of the FA Cup final against Chelsea on Saturday afternoon.

City's boss confirmed they will wait on Rodri's fitness ahead of the game but the rest of his squad is available for this fixture. He insisted his full focus is on the FA Cup and not the Premier League title race but did insist that if they do not win the title, it will still be a good season.

Guardiola also joked about his Wembley record, analysed the challenge Chelsea pose and the message he will give to his players before the game.

Take a look at what he had to say below...

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Rodri

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Guardiola jokes about City coaches leaving

Guardiola joked about not letting his backroom staff leave Manchester City and having a stand named after him at Wembley as the Blues prepare for the FA Cup final. City travel down on Friday for a record-breaking fourth consecutive final where Guardiola could claim a 20th title in 10 years in English football. The Blues are in the middle of three tough games that will help decide how many trophies they add to the Carabao Cup they have already won this season, and Guardiola admitted that the schedule is not ideal with fewer days to prepare for Chelsea on Saturday and then Bournemouth on Tuesday than their two opponents do.

That is in part down to the success City have already enjoyed though, with a crowning performance at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final in March and another chance of silverware directly ahead of them. In what will be Guardiola's 24th trip to the stadium as City manager, he cut a relaxed figure as he joked about the magic of Wembley for him.

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Full focus

When asked about the prospect of changing personnel with the game against Bournemouth coming up in midweek, Guardiola was quick to role that out. His and his team's full focus is on the FA Cup final.

Wembley still special

Guardiola joked that the FA should have named a stand after him considering how many times he has been to Wembley. Despite this, he still sees the national stadium as a special place and he is ready for another great game under the arch.

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One doubt for City

The Blues are waiting on Rodri ahead of the FA Cup final. He will be checked before tomorrow's game. Otherwise, Guardiola has a fully fit squad to choose from this weekend.

Tired of questions on his future

You can tell Guardiola is tired of questions surrounding his future. When asked today he joked he had signed a new three year deal before quickly clarifying that this was not true. How City fans would love for that to be the case.

What Guardiola said after FA Youth Cup final

Pep Guardiola was among the first to congratulate Manchester City Under-18s for winning the FA Youth Cup. The first team manager was watching inside the Joie Stadium as the young Blues beat Manchester United in the final with goals from Floyd Samba and Reigan Heskey. “I want to congratulate Oliver Reiss, his staff, the players and everyone working in our academy on winning the FA Youth Cup,” said Guardiola. "Success in this competition is another example of how good this club is at creating a winning mentality and producing top young players.

"Every season I am so impressed by the talent that we produce here at the CFA - I see it when the young players train with us. I hope everyone in the academy enjoys this achievement because it is a reward for all the hard work and commitment not just from this season, but years of hard work.”

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McFarlane and Chelsea

We have never been in touch, or trained together but I remember he was here. I didn't have time to analyse [that draw]. The first half was passive the second half they were more and more incredibly aggressive. We have our momentum and then at the end they equalise. We have to read what they are going to try and do. They make the process incredibly aggressive with the physicality they have. I saw the last game against Liverpool because I like to see the last one, the vibe, the tone of the team. They suffered the first 15-20 minutes but after that they came back not just with the goal from Enzo.

Wembley

I am disappointed they have not made a stand for Pep. For how many times I have been there, at least a lounge or a box or something like that. Maybe I have to go 24 more times. It is still a special place since Barcelona when I won the first Champions League with my club and after with United, the second time Barcelona as a manager and many times here. We have been going for semi-finals, final. We win, lose, win. It is really good to go to Wembley again, FA Cup, two teams with two managers, I don't know who organises it but it is really good, top. Everything. They set everything so well. It is so nice. The pitch is extraordinary hopefully it will be a nice day. Nothing wrong happens with the fans coming to the stadium, from both sides and desperate to perform well. Do what we have to do with a team like Calum's. You see the patterns and they do it very well.

Mental and physical load

I would prefer seven days like Chelsea but when you reach the final of the Carabao Cup and you win trophies, you have less days. It has happened in the past when we have won the titles. It's necessary to remember, it is what it is. It is not ideal but we have done it in the past and we have to do it tomorrow because the big clubs are defined when you are in more difficult circumstances you have to do extra, this is what you have to do. It is simple. It is not the perfect scenario to prepare for the final because we have not trained anything since the last game vs Crystal Palace.

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How much is the season a success without Premier League

The value of the season it depends on the trophies you lift. Sometimes you lift trophies and the season is successful. Sometimes you lift them and the season is really, really bad. I said a few weeks ago this season has been really good, really very good.

His future and his staff

I extended the contract with them for three more years. Nope.

Message to the squad

How we have to move and run to beat Chelsea. That is the message. The message is that it is a FA Cup final at Wembley, two prestigious clubs. Our fans make an incredible effort to come down to London it is not cheap. Go to the supporters and try as much as possible to win. This is the game plan and that is what you have to do.

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Bournemouth thoughts

Zero. It is the final of the FA Cup.

Rodri

We will see. We travel and we will see. No [other injuries] everyone else is fit.

Losing last year

I congratulate Crystal Palace and I still congratulate them. In those big games the decisions are so important, they always have been. It is in the past and will be tomorrow.

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Redemption

New players and it is forgotten. A new game against Chelsea, in another final we have to try and win the trophy.

Excitement

Definitely. There is excitement. Hopefully we can do better than the last two times.

Here we go!

Guardiola has arrived and the press conference will begin shortly...

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Still nothing

Guardiola has not arrived yet. We will keep you posted.

Slight delay

No sign of Guardiola just yet. Stay tuned and we will bring you everything he has to say when he arrives.

Not long now

Guardiola is moments away from joining us for his pre-match press conference. Stay tuned for the updates...

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Foden form

When City's opener went in against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night, Phil Foden turned to face the Etihad crowd and roared them on as he raced to join in the celebrations. When he came off with 10 minutes to go, the roar was reciprocated.

Foden got a huge reception from the home supporters as he made way following his best performance in a number of months. There was a bear hug from his beaming manager.

The 25-year-old has been a shadow of his best in the second half of this campaign. But he showed glimpses off the bench at Brentford on Saturday and built on that cameo against Palace.

Could he start at Wembley?

Read more here on his return to form and words from the player himself and his manager.

Inside City's Youth Cup win

City felt like favourites coming into the FA Youth Cup final. The Under-18s have been the best team in the league this season again and had star quality they could bring in for knockout games that have spent the season training and playing up.

In the case of Ryan McAidoo, there was a winger who had scored on his senior debut for City and on the opposite flank Reigan Heskey had also given United Under-21s plenty of problems last week in a semi-final defeat. These were two of the players who everybody in the squad knew would be in the starting XI as soon as Oliver Reiss's side had booked their place in the final.

However, they were also strong favourites last year when they went to Aston Villa on an obscene run of 27 games won in a row and then proceeded to lose. Shortly after, they lost the league championship match to the same opponents and a phenomenal season had a sour ending.

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Team news

Josko Gvardiol made a welcome return from injury on Wednesday night and came through 60 minutes as City beat Crystal Palace. But it's unlikely the Croatia international will back that up with another start at Wembley as his fitness is managed.

City also look like being without Rodri, who hasn't made a matchday squad since picking up an issue late on in the win over Arsenal.

Ruben Dias is fit but might have to be content with a place on the bench.

City are almost full strength for this one.

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Trafford's final appearance?

Trafford will be in goal for City tomorrow afternoon. He has not let the Blues down this season when called upon and Guardiola will be happy to have him between the sticks. Whether this is his last game or not remains to be seen. You would expect he wants more minutes next season if he is to stay.

7 confirmed starters tomorrow?

City's bench on Wednesday night contained nine players with squad numbers between one and 11. It was perhaps an indication of the strength of those players left out of the team for the Premier League clash with Palace.

Ultimately, the selection gamble paid off, with City running out 3-0 winners thanks to first-half goals from Antoine Semenyo and Omar Marmoush, with Savinho adding a late third to seal the victory and move the Blues to within two points of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table.

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What's on the agenda today?

Guardiola will give the early team news and and injury updates at his press conference this afternoon.

The City boss admitted on Wednesday night that he was unsure whether Rodri would be fit for this weekend's final, but Nico Gonzalez should be ready to return.

We'll get updates from Guardiola at around 2pm.

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How City U18s made home advantage count

City U18 coach Oliver Reiss said it was especially sweet to celebrate with family at the side of the pitch after winning the Youth Cup. City beat United 2-1 at the Joie Stadium to lift the trophy for the second time in three years and will now aim to complete a double next week when they play Chelsea in the league championship match. There was controversy in the build-up to the game over City's decision to play it at their 7,000-capacity stadium that primarily hosts women's and academy matches. The FA state that the final should be played at the main ground but the Blues said they are busy getting the new North Stand ready for the final Premier League game and rejected a request from United to play the game at Old Trafford.

City sections were not sold out at the Joie but it felt like home to the squad after playing previous rounds on the same pitch. And when the final whistle blew, they could all go straight over to their loved ones to celebrate in a way like they have done all season.

Read more here>>>

When will we hear from Guardiola?

The City boss will be speaking at the later time of 2pm this afternoon. Once he arrives, we shall bring you all the updates.

Hello!

Hello and welcome along to Guardiola's pre-match press conference blog ahead of tomorrow's FA Cup final against Chelsea. City are back at their southern home this weekend looking to secure their second piece of silverware of the campaign. Guardiola has made no secret how much he respects and loves the FA Cup and that was clear with his team selection on Wednesday night.

A number of stars who missed the game against Palace should return to face Chelsea. There will also be a spot for cup goalkeeper Trafford in the starting XI. However, whether Foden starts remains to be seen. The midfielder did well against Palace with his assist for Semenyo catching the eye. He struggled on his last Wembley appearance, but Guardiola could give him another chance.

Stay tuned for updates...

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