Could there be a surprise selection from Pep Guardiola for the FA Cup final? | OneFootball

Manchester City take on Crystal Palace today at Wembley. Today’s FA Cup final is a massive game for Pep Guardiola’s side. It represents their only chance to pick up silverware from what has been a disappointing season for Manchester City. A report from TBR Football at the beginning of May suggested that Rodri’s goal was to return to the pitch for the FA Cup final. So could Pep Guardiola spring a surprise and pick Rodri today? Perhaps not, but it isn’t out of the realms of possibility.

Pep Guardiola is waiting for the doctor’s approval to start Rodri.

Speaking during his pre-game press conference ahead of today’s FA Cup final, Pep Guardiola was asked about the possibility of Rodri playing a part in today’s match. Guardiola told the media that he is waiting on the doctor’s approval to pick Manchester City’s midfield general. He also said that his team don’t want to see Rodri suffer any injury setbacks. When asked about Rodri’s availability for today’s match, Guardiola said: “He is much, much better. I will, speak to doctors. When he is ready, he will start. We don’t want to tackle a step back now.”

It appears unlikely that Rodri will play today, but stranger things have happened.

Based on Pep Guardiola’s comments, it appears unlikely that Rodri will play or be in the Manchester City squad for today’s match. Although the FA Cup final is a big match, the risk of playing Rodri appears to outweigh the gain. Rodri has been training in recent weeks, but he hasn’t played since September, when he went down with the ACL injury he sustained against Arsenal. It would be a safer bet for Manchester City to play it safe with Rodri’s return. There are only 3 more matches left in this season and playing Rodri doesn’t appear to be worth the risk based on the significance of the injury he sustained.

It appears unlikely that Pep Guardiola will spring a surprise and select Rodri in the Manchester City matchday squad today. The risk appears to outweigh the gain at this point. There is always a chance that he could but based on the available information Rodri’s return is more likely to come at the FIFA Club World Cup.