“After Watching his performance against Lincoln, I just can’t understand why they’re benching him. If Chelsea don’t want him, let him come to Man City, and we’ll show you the magic!” – Pep Guardiola sends a direct message to Chelsea after stunning Carabao Cup display
The football world is buzzing after Pep Guardiola made a rare and explosive statement aimed directly at Chelsea’s selection policy. Following Chelsea’s narrow 2-1 Carabao Cup victory over Lincoln City, the Manchester City boss openly questioned why one of the Blues’ brightest talents is being left on the bench, despite proving himself once again in a high-stakes knockout game.
Guardiola, who is known for rarely commenting on other clubs’ internal matters, could not hide his admiration for the Chelsea player’s performance. “After watching him today, I just can’t understand why they are benching him,” he said. “If Chelsea don’t want him, let him come to Man City. We’ll show you the magic.”
The Lincoln Match That Changed Everything
Chelsea were made to sweat at Sincil Bank after going 1-0 down before halftime thanks to Robert Street’s strike for Lincoln. But the response came early in the second half, and it was this particular player who turned the tide. His energy, creativity, and technical brilliance shifted momentum entirely in Chelsea’s favor, setting up key attacks that eventually led to Tyrique George and Facundo Buonanotte’s quickfire goals.
Guardiola was reportedly in attendance, watching closely, and what he saw confirmed his long-standing belief: this is not a squad player. This is a player who deserves to be starting at the highest level.
Pep’s Hidden Message?
Many believe Guardiola’s comments are more than just praise—they’re a signal. Manchester City have long had an eye on emerging Premier League talents, often swooping in when rivals hesitate. From Raheem Sterling’s prime years at City to the recent pursuit of high-potential young stars, Pep has built a reputation for turning overlooked talents into world-class stars.
Chelsea’s habit of stockpiling talent but failing to give them consistent minutes has already seen several stars leave Stamford Bridge and thrive elsewhere. Guardiola’s words may be a subtle warning: keep benching him, and City will not hesitate to make their move.
Fan Reactions
Chelsea fans are split. Many took to social media immediately after the Lincoln game, echoing Guardiola’s statement:
“How is he not starting games for us? Absolute madness.”
“Pep is right, if we don’t value him, others will.”
“This is another Kevin De Bruyne situation waiting to happen.”
Manchester City fans, on the other hand, wasted no time fueling the fire, posting compilations of the player’s best moments against Lincoln and tagging the club’s official account with calls to “bring him home to the Etihad.”
The Bigger Picture
Guardiola’s statement comes at a time when City are preparing for another long season of competing on four fronts. Squad depth and versatility are essential, and adding a Chelsea talent who is already Premier League-proven would fit perfectly into Pep’s rotation system.
For Chelsea, this raises uncomfortable questions about their squad management under Enzo Maresca. With injuries piling up in attack and midfield, leaving proven players on the bench looks less like tactical rotation and more like poor decision-making.
What Happens Next?
If Guardiola’s words are anything more than casual admiration, January could get interesting. City have the financial firepower to test Chelsea’s resolve, and if the player continues to impress when given minutes, pressure from fans and media will only grow.
One thing is clear: Guardiola has lit the fuse. By openly stating his admiration and interest, he has put Chelsea on notice. Either they trust and start the player, or they risk seeing him thrive in sky blue—just like De Bruyne did years ago.
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