Guehi’s absence stems from a Carabao Cup rule applied for the first time this season. Under current EFL regulations, if a player is signed after the first leg of the semi-finals, they are not allowed to participate in subsequent stages of the competition with their new club. Guehi completed his £20 million ($27 million) move from Palace to the Etihad Stadium during the January transfer window. However, by the time the deal was agreed, the semi-final stage of the League Cup had already started, which automatically triggered the restriction preventing him from taking the pitch against Mikel Arteta’s side this weekend.
The situation is further complicated by Guehi’s previous participation in the tournament with his former club. The 25-year-old captained Crystal Palace against Arsenal in the quarter-finals last December. Despite the considerable financial investment made by City to secure his services during the season, the governing body remained firm on the registration deadline, thereby depriving Guardiola of one of his key defensive assets for the first major final of the season.
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