Pep Guardiola Confirms Man City Will Write To EFL Demanding Rule Change

Pep Guardiola has confirmed Manchester City will request a rule change from the EFL after reaching the Carabao Cup final.

City thrashed Newcastle 5-1 over two legs to set up a Wembley showdown with Arsenal as they look to win the League Cup for the ninth time in their history.

After a 2-0 win at St James' Park in the first leg, City raced into a 3-0 lead 33 minutes into the second fixture at the Etihad Stadium after a brace from Omar Marmoush and a strike from Tijjani Reijnders.

Anthony Elanga came off the bench to bag a consolation for the visitors, but City and Arsenal will now compete for the first major trophy of the season on Sunday 22 March.

However, City are hoping that a competition rule will be changed ahead of the meeting between the Premier League's top two.

New £62.5 million signing Antoine Semenyo was allowed to play in both semi-finals for City despite featuring for Bournemouth earlier in the competition.

Semenyo was able to play in both legs against Newcastle. Image: Getty

What is the EFL rule on playing for two clubs in the Carabao Cup?

Eddie Howe expressed frustration with the updated EFL Rule 6.4, which allows a player to play for two different clubs as long as timing conditions are met.

As per Four Four Two, the rule states that "a registered player shall be permitted to play for up to two clubs in the competition in any one season where "the player has appeared for his parent or loan club in the competition prior to the closure of the winter transfer window or the first leg of the semi-final (whichever is sooner)".

For the second part of the rule and to be eligible, the player must then be transferred to a different club prior to the closure of the winter transfer window or the first leg of the semi-final - whichever comes first.

But while Semenyo was eligible after benefitting the rule, fellow January signing Marc Guehi was cup tied for the second leg against Newcastle as he joined after the first leg had been played.

Guehi is banned for the Carabao Cup final. Image: Getty

In a major blow given City's centre-back crisis, Guehi is therefore banned from featuring in the final against Arsenal.

But speaking to Sky Sports after the win over Newcastle, Guardiola said City would seek a resolution for the England defender.

"Hopefully we can arrive in March with the players fit and hopefully we can convince the Carabao Cup that Marc can play this competition and the final because it is difficult to understand that the club can make a big investment to play one player and he belongs to us," Guardiola explained.

"I don't understand why he can not play the final. Honestly. Hopefully we make a letter, and hopefully the Carabao Cup, they can understand.

"You buy a player for a lot of money and he's not able to play for a rule I don't understand. Hopefully they can change it and he can play."

Guehi has played twice for City in the Premier League in games against Wolves and Spurs and he will be able to play for his new club in the FA Cup against Salford City despite playing for Palace in their shock loss to Non-League Macclesfield.

After City qualified for the Champions League round of 16, he will also be able to make his debut in the European club competition in March.