Whenever a manager steps onto a pitch for a big game like the FA Cup final, there’s always a layer of uncertainty about which version of their team will show up.
Pep Guardiola knows this feeling well as he prepares to lead Manchester City at Wembley this weekend.
You never quite know if your players will bring their A-game or have an off day, and that’s a nerve-wracking place to be.
I remember back in 2018 when I was working as a TV pundit during the FA Cup. City were facing Wigan Athletic, a League One side, and everyone expected City to win comfortably.
But they lost, just like they did in 2013 against the same team. It was a reminder that upsets can happen more than once. So, looking at City now, I’m cautious about making bold predictions.
Sure, they’ve got the talent to win easily, but nothing is guaranteed.
Their recent performances have been inconsistent.
Just last week at Southampton, City showed a side of themselves that looked a bit lackluster.
After the match, Ruben Dias complained about Southampton’s style, but honestly, if you’re the big team, you have to find a way to break down stubborn defenses.
Crystal Palace and the Young Talent to Watch
Crystal Palace aren’t just any team either. They’re hardworking, disciplined, and have some genuine quality in players like Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta, who can cause real problems for defenders when they’re on form.
But what excites me most is young Adam Wharton.
I’ve talked about Wharton before, especially during the Euros last summer, when people were hyping Kobbie Mainoo as England’s next big midfielder.
Mainoo is talented, but for me, he still doesn’t quite get the discipline required for a holding midfield role.
Wharton, on the other hand, knows exactly what his job is from the start.
This final at Wembley is a massive moment for him. He’s already felt the atmosphere of a semi-final there, so he knows what to expect.
Playing your first final on such a huge stage can be daunting, but it’s also the moment that defines you.
I remember my first final at Wembley with Liverpool—it was a European Cup final, and the dressing room was packed with winners.
The confidence was sky-high. Palace don’t have that kind of pressure, which could actually work in their favor.
Manchester City’s Midfield Challenges and Transfer Plans
Saturday’s final will see Wharton up against a talented but aging Manchester City midfield.
Kevin De Bruyne is 33, Mateo Kovacic is 31, and Bernardo Silva will soon be 31.
Their best holding midfielder, Rodri, has been absent for a while, which makes City more vulnerable than usual.
That’s why City will be looking to strengthen their midfield this summer.
The lack of intensity and energy has been evident this season, and Palace’s counter-attacking style might exploit that.
Pep Guardiola is right to say that winning this final won’t fix all their problems.
It’s a prestigious day out but doesn’t guarantee Champions League football next season, which is City’s real priority.
Why Booing Trent Alexander-Arnold at Anfield Feels Wrong
Switching gears, I want to talk about something that really surprised me last week—the fact that some Liverpool fans booed Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Having lived and worked in Liverpool for nearly a decade, I’ve always felt the city had this unbreakable spirit: “us against the world.”
Booing your own player, especially one who’s been there for 20 years, just doesn’t fit with that tradition.
The Kop’s usual approach was playful teasing, not outright booing.
I understand some frustration—Trent is leaving on a free transfer, or maybe a small fee if Real Madrid rush the deal for the Club World Cup.
Fans feel the club has nurtured him into a player worth around £50 million, and now he’s leaving with seemingly little return.
But the Bosman ruling works both ways—Liverpool have benefited from signing players like James Milner and Joel Matip on free transfers too.
I’ve never met Trent, so I can’t speak for him, but if he wants a fresh challenge or a new cultural experience, Real Madrid or Barcelona make sense.
He’s known for his attacking flair and delivery, which should shine in a dominant Madrid team.
Yes, Madrid have had a tough season, but Trent’s used to pressure and big occasions, so I think he’ll adapt.
I hope Liverpool fans give him a proper send-off if he plays in the final home game against Crystal Palace. He deserves nothing less.
The Need for Change After Taiwo Awoniyi’s Injury
Now, on a more serious note, Taiwo Awoniyi’s horrific injury at Nottingham Forest has highlighted how badly we need to rethink some of football’s rules.
The delay in raising the offside flag after a play is dangerous.
Players are taught to play to the whistle, and if the flag comes late, defenders are put in impossible positions trying to stop attacks, sometimes leading to clumsy or even dangerous tackles.
Awoniyi’s injury, which left him in a coma after rupturing his intestine, was a wake-up call.
Officials want more goals by letting attacks play out fully before checking VAR, but at what cost? It’s time the powers that be come up with a safer, smarter system that protects players better.
Thomas Muller’s Incredible Longevity Shows His Character
Turning to a lighter note, Thomas Muller’s career is something to admire.
Over 750 games with Bayern Munich, 13 league titles, two Champions Leagues, and a World Cup to his name—he’s achieved it all.
Bayern is a demanding club that regularly buys top talent and changes managers, yet Muller has remained a key player all these years.
That kind of longevity speaks volumes about his character as well as his talent.
The Sad Decline of Sampdoria and the Importance of Recruitment
Finally, it’s heartbreaking to see Sampdoria, my old club, relegated to Serie C for the first time.
Back in the day, with players like Gianluca Vialli and Roberto Mancini and a passionate owner in Paolo Mantovani, the club was thriving.
They proved that recruitment matters most—not the fanciest stadium or highest turnover but the players on the pitch.
I hope Mancini, now a consultant, and his friend Attilio Lombardo can help Sampdoria climb back to Serie A quickly.
Their story is a reminder that football success always comes down to smart decisions on the field.