"A measure of Pep Guardiola's greatness is to be found in Saturday's FA Cup final being a 24th visit to Wembley leading Manchester City. As this born winner could depart in the close season, the meeting with Chelsea may be a third-last outing in charge, in which he seeks the opposite result to the 2021 Champions League final. Yet Chelsea are now in a state of flux Calum McFarlane is in a second caretaker spell of the season, following Liam Rosenior's sacking last month, having also filled in when Enzo Maresca walked out on 1 January."
"This points to a City triumph and the 17th major trophy of Guardiola's reign. But this is football, so who knows? Jamie Jackson FA Cup final: Chelsea v Manchester City, Saturday 3pm (all times BST)"
"It has been a long road back for Levi Colwill. The defender was buzzing after Chelsea's win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final last July. It seemed a coming-of-age moment. His prediction of a serious title challenge back then did not seem outlandish. Who knows how different the past 10 months might have been for Chelsea had Colwill not suffered a serious knee injury on the first day of pre-season training? His absence bit hard."
"The 23-year-old returned earlier this month and did not look rusty when he started for Chelsea in their 1-1 draw with Liverpool last weekend. Colwill produced a smooth display and will hope to impress again when he faces Erling Haaland at Wembley. Keeping the City striker quiet would boost Colwill's chances of making a late run into the England squad before Thomas Tuchel finalises his World Cup selection."
Manchester City head into the FA Cup final with Pep Guardiola seeking a result opposite to the 2021 Champions League final. The match is framed as potentially among his last outings in charge, with Chelsea currently in flux after multiple caretaker arrangements. Levi Colwill has returned from a serious knee injury and looked sharp in his comeback start against Liverpool, with a key test ahead against Erling Haaland at Wembley. Colwill’s performance could influence his chances of a late England squad push. Elsewhere, the race for European qualification remains tight, with Villa Park’s upcoming match expected to determine whether English clubs secure five or six Champions League places next season.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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