Man City boss Pep Guardiola weighs in on FA Cup replay saga with fiery rant: ‘How do they survive?!’
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The Football Association announced on Thursday that all FA Cup replays will be scrapped from next season, leading to backlash from clubs in the Football League.
The FA claimed that “all parties accepted the decision,” before the EFL responded with a statement saying it was “agreed solely between the Premier League and FA”.
FA Cup replays may not make much difference to clubs in the top flight, but the financial injection received from an extra game that is potentially televised and against a top opposition can be vital to clubs further down the football pyramid.
In an interview after Manchester City‘s 1-0 win over Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final, Pep Guardiola gave his thoughts on the situation and appeared to support the controversial decision.
Speaking on BBC One, Gary Lineker asked the manager about how his team had to play just three days after their Champions League quarter-final with Real Madrid on Tuesday, which they lost 1-0.
“It’s unacceptable,” Guardiola said. “Coventry, Manchester United and Chelsea didn’t play in the week but they make us play today.
“Next week if we played Brighton on Friday (instead of Thursday) it would be better.”
Lineker then asked if he felt Man City had been treated unfairly by those arranging the fixtures.
Related video: Disappointing 1-0 FA Cup loss in the last 15" (English Football Channel)
Mondays for the newspapers on the side after we'll start
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“It’s impossible, it’s impossible – it is for the health of the players,” Guardiola responded. “Playing this many matches is not normal. Honestly, it’s not normal.
“Are we meant to tell you [we are playing too many games] or shut up? [This amount of games] is impossible and unacceptable.
“After playing 120 minutes against Real Madrid, with the emotion of that, the way we lost and everything, so honestly [replays had to be scrapped].
“I know in this country the FA Cup is special but this is for the health of the players. I don’t understand how we survived today. I don’t understand it.”
Guardiola: ‘We want to play football, but it’s too much’
Lineker then asked Guardiola if he had raised his concerns officially with the Football Association before they made the decision to scrap replays.
The manager denied that he had any influence on the decision.
“Gary, do you think that would change anything?” Guardiola responded.
“The only power I have is to say it here [in interviews] – it’s not going to change anything, I know this from experience.
“But why did we have to play today and not tomorrow when Coventry and Man Utd didn’t play in the week? Why? Why not one more day rest for the health of the players? I don’t know how they survived.
“And for me as a manager – how do I prepare for a Champions League semi-final and then an FA Cup semi-final three days later? It’s impossible.”
“We want to play football, we love to play football, but it’s too much.”
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Tottenham clear favourites in race to sign Serie A goal scoring midfielder; price tag ‘not a problem’
Tottenham have made signing a new attacking midfielder one of their priorities for the summer window and Genoa star Albert Gudmundsson is on their shortlist.
The Icelandic international has been one of the standout performers in Serie A this season, with him scoring 13 goals and making three assists so far.
His performances have caught the attention of several top European sides but Tottenham are reported to have an advantage in the race for his signature.
As previously reported, Juventus are also extremely interested in Gudmundsson but Genoa’s price tag may prove too costly for them.
According to Tuttosport, Gudmundsson has a price tag of €35m (£30.2m) which is beyond the financial capabilities of Juventus and other Italian suitors.
Tottenham are described as Juve’s ‘bogeyman’ in the race as that fee ‘will not be a problem for them’ in the summer.
Spurs have ‘tested the waters’ but are yet to make any concrete enquiries for Gudmundsson as yet, due to the fact that they will try for other players on Ange Postecoglou’s wish list first.
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Tottenham have three-man midfield shortlist for the summer
As exclusively revealed by TEAMtalk, Chelsea star Conor Gallagher is Postecoglou’s top target for the upcoming transfer window.
The England international could leave Stamford Bridge if he doesn’t renew his contract before the end of the season.
Talks between the England international and the Blues are currently at a standstill as the club have deemed his wage demands too high. We understand that Spurs could snap him up for £50m as a result.Related video: Tottenham To END Arsenal's Title Hopes? (Global Fan Network)
Arsenal have Manchester United at Old Trafford,
If Chelsea do manage to tie Gallagher down to fresh terms, however, Gudmundsson is one of the players Tottenham could turn to as an alternative.
As a goal scoring midfielder, the 26-year-old Genoa man could provide effective competition for James Maddison.
Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White is another player of interest to Spurs.
Reports suggest that the Tricky Trees value Gibbs-White at around £50m, but that could drop if they are relegated to the Championship.
With that in mind, it will be interesting to see who Tottenham turn to if they miss out on their top midfield target in Gallagher.
They would be the big favourites to sign Gudmundsson should they decide to focus their efforts on the Genoa talisman.
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Five Leeds stars the Whites are vulnerable to losing if they don’t win promotion
Leeds United enjoyed a phenomenal start to 2024. Daniel Farke’s men shot to the top of the Championship table by March behind a spectacular run that saw them collect 12 wins from 13 games with an aggregate score of 28-3 across that period.
More recently, though, the Whites have cooled off. They’ve won just one of their last five Championship fixtures, most recently beaten at home by 17th-placed Blackburn Rovers.
They remain contenders for promotion back to the Premier League, currently sitting third and within two points of league leaders Ipswich Town.
But if Leeds are unable to get their form back on track, here are five Elland Road stars who could be heading for the exit door should they miss out on promotion.
Crysencio Summerville
Dutch forward Crysencio Summerville has not only been the standout performer at Elland Road this season but in the entire second tier, a fact recognised this week as he was named the Championship Player of the Season.
The 22-year-old has scored 17 goals and provided eight assists in the league this term and he is already reportedly receiving interest from clubs in the Premier League and Europe.
Leeds signed Summerville from Feyenoord in 2020 and have taken a steady approach with his development. It has paid dividends this season as they hope to bounce back up to the Premier League behind the dynamic winger’s production. If they fall short, Summerville is likely to be playing top-flight football elsewhere.
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Georginio Rutter
France under-21 international Georginio Rutter has – like Leeds as a whole – suffered a dip in form of late, but his performances over the course of the 2023-24 season will mean he is in high demand should Farke’s side be forced to settle for at least one more season in the second tier.
The 21-year-old forward, whom Leeds signed from German club Hoffenheim 18 months ago, has not registered a goal contribution in his last five outings, with his fall-off coinciding with a hernia issue that was surgically repaired during the last international break.
Despite this, however, he still ranks second in the division for assists, with his total of 15 just two behind Ipswich left-back Leif Davis.
If Rutter can show a full recovery from his minor mid-season operation, he has the ability to either fire Leeds back into the automatic promotion push or at least attract several summer suitors.
Ethan Ampadu
Former Chelsea prodigy Ethan Ampadu has been outstanding at the heart of the Leeds defence since joining the club in a £7 million deal last summer.
Once regarded as one of the top talents in the country, the former RB Leipzig and Venezia loanee has struggled to find a footing in the game in recent years, cast out for a string of temporary spells elsewhere amid a lack of opportunities at Stamford Bridge.
But having finally left Chelsea on a permanent basis, he has made a home for himself in West Yorkshire and shown exactly why he was so highly regarded to begin with. He was named the PFA Championship Player of the Month for March for his part in helping Farke’s side keep three clean sheets, and this week he was handed the Leeds Player of the Year award.
Ampadu is vastly experienced, having already played top-flight football in three countries while accumulating 51 caps for Wales. Yet he is still only 23 years old. His maturing skillset, relative youth and stellar performances at Elland Road this term will make him an attractive transfer target for Premier League clubs.
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Daniel James
Given that he has already had three stabs at the Premier League – first with Manchester United, then Leeds and last season on loan with Fulham – with limited success, prospective top-flight suitors might be reticent to hand Daniel James another shot next term if Leeds fail to earn promotion.
But judging the 26-year-old Welsh speedster on the merits of the 2023-24 campaign he has delivered at Elland Road, he appears more than ready to give the Premier League another crack.
James has scored 13 Championship goals from the right side of Leeds’ attack, while also chipping in with seven assists. He is the club’s second-highest scorer and only Summerville and Rutter have been directly involved in more league goals.
Archie Gray
He only turned 18 last month but Archie Gray is already being tipped for a bright in the senior England team.
An under-21 international, the skilled, athletic and versatile youngster has shone in the Championship this season whether playing at right-back or in central midfield, making 38 starts in what has been his breakthrough campaign.
If genetics are any indicator of future success, Gray is destined for great things. He comes from fine football stock. His father, Andy, was a professional footballer for almost two decades, including two spells with Leeds. His grandfather Frank was a Scotland international who played nearly 200 league games for the Whites. And his great-uncle Eddie is a bona fide Elland Road icon.
Whether Archie matches the Leeds legacy of his famous footballing family remains to be seen. Liverpool and Bayern Munich have already been linked with £50 million moves for the gifted teenager.
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Man City 1-0 Chelsea: Bernardo Silva makes the difference as Guardiola’s side reach FA Cup final
Bernardo Silva made amends for his midweek penalty miss as holders Manchester City returned to the FA Cup final with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Chelsea.
Silva badly fluffed his lines as City were agonisingly knocked out of the Champions League on penalties by Real Madrid on Wednesday but he was the match winner as they bounced back at Wembley.
The Portugal international turned home the only goal of a tight encounter six minutes from time to keep alive City’s hopes of retaining the domestic double.
Chelsea were left to rue wasting a host of chances, with Nicolas Jackson particularly culpable, on what proved a bad day for the Senegal forward in front of goal. The Londoners were also frustrated not to be awarded a penalty.
City, without the injured Erling Haaland, were not at their best – perhaps still feeling the effects of their draining encounter with Real.
With former City midfielder Cole Palmer instrumental, Chelsea made most of the running.
Palmer played in Jackson early on but his shot was too easy for Stefan Ortega.
City’s first opportunity came as Kevin De Bruyne slipped in Phil Foden with an inch-perfect pass but he went too wide attempting to go round Djordje Petrovic and Chelsea escaped.Related video: An exhausted Man City win 1-0 in the FA Cup Semi Final (Dailymotion)
Pep Guardiola’s side had a huge let-off when Jackson raced clear from an Enzo Fernandez long ball. Jackson only had Ortega to beat but he hesitated on the edge of the area and failed to shoot or go round the goalkeeper.
City were caught out again when Malo Gusto escaped down the right but he could not pick out Jackson in the centre. Palmer also dug out a chance for himself with some neat footwork but did not get any power on his shot.
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At the other end, Marc Cucurella cleared off the line after Silva got on the end of a Jack Grealish cross but the flag was then raised.
Jackson failed to deliver again early in the second half after breaking clear in the area but shooting tamely at Ortega. The ball came back to him as Palmer whipped in a cross but his header was weak and straight at Ortega.
City had another let-off when a Palmer free-kick struck the arm of Grealish. The contact was missed by referee Michael Oliver, with Chelsea’s frustration at not getting a penalty compounded by the official awarding a goalkick.
Jackson also wanted a spot-kick after going down following a race with Kyle Walker but nothing was given.
Grealish suffered a heavy blow to the knee in a challenge from Felipe Caicedo and was withdrawn moments later. The England international voiced his frustration to the officials as he left the field, maybe suggesting Caicedo – already on a booking – should have been dealt with more severely.
Grealish’s replacement Jeremy Doku made a lively entrance and immediately tested Petrovic.
As time wore on, the game became a test of City’s resolve and the lively Doku made a notable difference.
He was involved as the deadlock was finally broken, playing in fellow Belgian De Bruyne with a clever ball. De Bruyne pulled the ball back across goal and a deflection took it into the path of Silva, who made no mistake.
It was a sweet moment for the Portuguese, who celebrated vigorously out of relief and joy.
There was no way back for Chelsea as City, befitting their champion status, held out.
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Ten Hag ‘needs to win FA Cup’ to keep Man Utd job as ambitious replacement is named
Paul Merson believes that Erik ten Hag will need to win the FA Cup in order to keep his job at Manchester United and his ideal successor has been named.
There’s no denying that the Red Devils have fallen well below expectations this season. The club currently sit seventh in the table and exited the Champions League at the first hurdle.
However, with Ten Hag’s men still in the FA Cup, there’s still a chance that his side manages to win some silverware this season.
Man Utd face Coventry City in an FA Cup semi-final clash at Wembley this weekend and given the pressure on Ten Hag, it’s seen as a must-win game.
Merson already thinks that it’s time for a change at Old Trafford, but the thought of losing to Coventry would surely be the final nail in the coffin for Ten Hag.
“What lose out? Get beat by Coventry? Wow! He would be lucky if he got back on the coach,” Merson said on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday.
“It cannot happen. It could happen, but there’s no way he would be back in the job. I think something has got to change here anyway.”
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Merson names ideal replacement
There’s been plenty of talk around Man Utd and who could potentially replace Ten Hag. The likes of Graham Potter and Gareth Southgate have been among the names mentioned in recent months.
However, Merson thinks that the Red Devils should turn to a manager like Ancelotti who would be a ‘quick fix’ at the club.Related video: FA Cup News Wrap - Pep on Palmer and injuries; Ten Hag on Garnacho and replays (SNTV)“Personally I think they need someone like a Ancelotti. I know it’s a quick fix, and I know Man United don’t need a quick fix, but if you watched the game the other night, Ancelotti is getting superstars to run themselves into the ground, superstars to run themselves into the ground, to leave nothing left on the pitch. That’s what I don’t see at Man United.
“For me, they need to win the FA Cup to have any chance of him keeping his job, in my opinion. Again, it would only have to be Ancelotti.
“I don’t see anybody else going in at Man United. I know it’s a quick fix, as I said, but they need to get back to basics.
“They need top players that are not even in the same breath as some of the players at Real Madrid to be working like the players at Real Madrid are. And, I don’t see that at the moment at Man United.”
While Ancelotti would undoubtedly be a hit at Old Trafford, it doesn’t seem very likely that he would make the move at this stage, especially as he’s under contract at Real Madrid until 2026.
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