“Is a bit mad”, “Why Pep, tell me why”

Fans expressed their dissatisfaction with Manchester City attacker Ryan Cherki starting from the bench in the FA Cup final with Chelsea on Saturday (May 16). The Cityzens are looking to better their runner-up finish from last year.

Pep Guardiola’s side are in unchartered territory, becoming the first team in the competition’s 155-year history to reach four straight finals after beating Southampton 2-1 in the semis last month.

Having already clinched the Carabao Cup, City are looking to accomplish only their second EFL Cup-FA Cup double in their history, first achieving the feat under their current boss in 2019.

Summer arrival Cherki has enjoyed a fruitful debut campaign at the Etihad, registering 10 goals and 15 assists in 51 games across competitions (starting 31), having also made a positive impact in the victory over the Saints. Hence, fans aren’t happy to see the in-form player starting from the bench against the Blues:

“Cherki not starting is a bit mad, but hopefully he’ll be a good super sub,” one tweeted.

“No Cherki why Pep tell me why,” another commented.

“Why cherki on the bend I don’t get it,” one wrote.

“Pep sometimes always fumbles, while will you keep Cherki on the bench and start Marmoush,” another posted.

The Cityzens are looking to win the cup competition for the eighth time, having last triumphed three years earlier, beating cross-town rivals Manchester United 2-1 in the final. However, they lost by the same margin to United in the 2024 title match before being upset by a solitary goal against Crystal Palace last year.

Will Manchester City hitman Erling Haaland end Wembley scoreless streak against Chelsea?

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has had a fabulous career at the Etihad, scoring an impressive 161 times across competitions since arriving from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2022.

However, the 2026 FIFA World Cup-bound Norwegian – who has netted 37 times this season – is yet to bulge the net in eight previous visits to the Wembley. It’s the only stadium where the 25-year-old has featured in twice for City without scoring (as per the BBC).

Moreover, Haaland went scoreless in both league meetings with Chelsea – whom City meet in the FA Cup final on Saturday – this season. Nevertheless, having gone 601 minutes across eight games without scoring (off 11 shots) at the Wembley, could be break his hoodoo against a struggling Chelsea side?