Despite City\u2019s injury problems, Gu\u00e9hi would not be able to play in the EFL Cup semi-final second leg or the final. <\/p>\n
This season players were allowed to play for two clubs in the competition, as Antoine Semenyo did for City after his move from Bournemouth earlier this month. However the EFL\u2019s rules state that any transfers must have taken place before the first leg of the semi-final meaning Gu\u00e9hi, who played for Palace three times in the competition, will miss City\u2019s second leg against Newcastle and the final should they make it.<\/p>\n
![\"Newcastle](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/\/0357fcf5-9ed1-4eb7-a4a5-bb51b9d87df8.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Semenyo scored his second City goal in the first leg of the semi-final against Newcastle this week<\/p>\n
VISIONHAUS\/GETTY IMAGES<\/p>\n
\u201cWithout John, without R\u00faben, without Josko, we are in a difficult situation,\u201d Guardiola said on Friday. \u201cNot for one game but for a long, long period it\u2019s a difficult situation. But R\u00faben is back soon, John we will see, Josko no. So, we will see.\u201d<\/p>\n
Oliver Glasner, the Palace head coach, who on Friday confirmed he would be leaving the club at the end of the season<\/a>, has admitted that they could sell his captain. He intervened to help stop Gu\u00e9hi<\/a>\u2019s proposed \u00a335million move to Liverpool on deadline day in September, while the defender was having a medical in London. Glasner has voiced his unhappiness about his squad depth and need for transfers.<\/p>\n Pep Guardiola likes good characters and his interest in Gu\u00e9hi has probably been enhanced by the centre back\u2019s attitude and focus since missing out on a move to Anfield. <\/p>\n Gu\u00e9hi won the Community Shield with Palace in August, beating Liverpool before a proposed move to Anfield fell through on deadline day<\/p>\n JULIAN FINNEY\/GETTY IMAGES<\/p>\n Gu\u00e9hi could quickly become first choice, competing with the present pairing of Stones and Dias. Stones, has had injury issues but may still be given a new contract when his deal expires in the summer, while Dias, 28, is a leader but lacks pace. Guardiola has tended to prefer a left-footed player on the left side of his defence, but Gu\u00e9hi is right-footed.<\/p>\n With Abdukodir Khusanov and Max Alleyne City\u2019s only fit central defenders, that inexperienced duo look likely to start in the visit to Manchester United on Sunday, a third consecutive game after the 10-1 FA Cup win over Exeter City and the impressive 2-0 Carabao Cup victory away to Newcastle United.<\/p>\n \u201cThey have been top. Surprised me, with how connected they are,\u201d Guardiola said. \u201cBoth have come in a tough period, they\u2019ve had tough games. Brighton for Max, Exeter was a bit different because of the result. But Newcastle away, they were brilliant.\u201d<\/p>\n City\u2019s defensive crisis intensified against Chelsea at the start of the month when Josko Gvardiol picked up a potentially season-ending leg fracture and Ruben D\u00edas a hamstring injury that could keep him out for six weeks.<\/p>\n They joined long-term injury victim John Stones on the sidelines and prompted Guardiola into recalling Alleyne, 20, from a loan spell at Watford and, while he would not discuss Gu\u00e9hi directly, the City manager is clearly ready to act in the transfer market, adding to the \u00a362.5million signing of Semenyo.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat I thought? We are in trouble. That was my first thought,\u201d Guardiola said of the defensive injuries. \u201cBut that is why we loaned [Alleyne] with an option to recover the player. <\/p>\n \u201cThe rest we\u2019ll see. Normally when you sign a player, it\u2019s not just for three months or two months, it\u2019s for years. And after the club has to decide, this is the player for years.<\/p>\n Alleyne made his third straight start for City in the Carabao Cup game against Newcastle after being recalled from his loan<\/p>\n OLI SCARFF\/AFP\/GETTY IMAGES<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we bring Semenyo, we had a problem with the wingers from day one and the chance that maybe we could do it and the club can afford it for the release clause. So Antoine comes for years, he\u2019s not come to solve a short-term problem.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd this is the best way. So when you have an injury like has happened now in one department, like a central defender, they don\u2019t come [as cover] until the players who come back. Last season, for example, Khusanov or Victor, especially Khusanov, came, you know, [aged] 21 years old, [as a long-term signing] for many, many years.<\/p>\n \u201cWithout John, without Ruben, without Josko, we are in a difficult situation. Not for one game but for a long, long period, it\u2019s a difficult situation.\u201d<\/p>\n In recent months City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have joined Liverpool in the battle for the Gu\u00e9hi\u2019s signature. Palace will not receive the full proceeds from any transfer, as they have to pay 20 per cent of the profit on the deal to Chelsea, from whom they signed the England defender in 2021.<\/p>\n![\"Marc](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/\/696f3ce1-ec84-4d26-8f0d-aa6e8412e7bc.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"FBL-ENG-LCUP-NEWCASTLE-MAN](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/\/ebcffde3-a884-4849-b640-5268b5b28c71.jpg\")
<\/p>\n