Man City XI vs Chelsea: RODRI IN - Starting lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for FA Cup final today

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Evening Standard

·16 May 2026

Man City XI vs Chelsea: RODRI IN - Starting lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for FA Cup final today

Pep Guardiola boosted by Rodri’s availability ahead of Wembley clash

The Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder has been in and out of the side this season thanks to a rash of injuries, and has once again been sidelined of late with a groin issue.

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He was pictured in training ahead of much-changed City’s 3-0 win over Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Wednesday night but did not make the matchday squad, and Pep Guardiola was unsure whether he would be fit to feature at Wembley.

“We’ll see,” Guardiola responded curtly to reporters on Friday when asked about Rodri’s availability.

In a massive boost for Man City, Rodri is fit enough to start and is regain his place in central midfield alongside captain Bernardo Silva.

Boost: Rodri

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O’Reilly is back at left-back, Abdukodir Khusanov returned from a knock to partner Marc Guehi at centre-back against Palace.

Guardiola rotated heavily against Palace, making six changes from the 3-0 win over Brentford amid a hectic fixture list and naming the likes of Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki on the bench.

Doku was introduced as a substitute on the hour, with Cherki also coming on late and providing an assist for Savinho’s goal, but Haaland played no part at all.

Haaland and Doku do start but Omar Marmoush is preferred to Cherki.

Gianluigi Donnarumma is in fine form, but deputy James Trafford has been preferred in cup competitions this season and starts in goal after impressing in the last two rounds and producing a formidable performance in the Carabao Cup final win over Arsenal.