Guardiola highlights Palace players and one name stands out...
- Published
Saturday's FA Cup final could provide the dream send-off for Manchester City captain Kevin de Bruyne, who is set to leave the club at the end of the season.
Victory over Crystal Palace at Wembley will give City some satisfaction in an otherwise disappointing campaign.
I asked City boss Pep Guardiola about the threats that the Eagles players will provide and he mentioned Eberechi Eze's "quality", Ismaila Sarr's "pace" and how "strong" Jean-Philippe Mateta is.
But one name of interest stood out.
Guardiola said: "[Adam] Wharton is a really good holding midfielder who links well inside."
Wharton is only 21 and his performances for Palace have led to a call-up into the England national team. He could form the platform for the Three Lions in the middle of the park for years to come.
With De Bruyne departing and 34-year-old Ilkay Gundogan not hitting the heights of his first spell, City are desperately in need of a midfield rebuild.
Along with the likes of Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz and AC Milan's Tijjani Reijnders, Wharton has been linked with a move to City in the summer.
Guardiola has clearly spotted the potential of the player and after being passed fit for the showpiece, Saturday may well be an opportunity for a City audition for Wharton.
