Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has already started playing psychological games as his side prepare to face Chelsea in the 2026 FA Cup final at Wembley.
The match will be Chelsea’s 17th FA Cup final appearance, but they head into the showdown under pressure, having lost their last three finals.
Speaking after Manchester City’s 3-0 Premier League victory over Crystal Palace on Wednesday, Guardiola highlighted the contrasting preparation schedules of both teams.
“Chelsea have been at home all week, training and preparing. We have to travel to London, they will be at home with their wife and kids,” Guardiola said.
Pep Guardiola:
“Chelsea have been all week at home, training and preparing. We have to travel to London, they will be at home with their wife and kids. So that is fatigue, and fatigue, and fatigue, and I have full confidence in the whole squad.”
“So that is fatigue, and fatigue, and fatigue. I have full confidence in the whole squad.”Guardiola’s comments appear to be a clever attempt at mind games.
By portraying Manchester City as the tired, disadvantaged side despite their dominance, he aims to shift pressure onto Chelsea while subtly lowering expectations for his own team.
