Pep Guardiola breaks silence on Cole Palmer's exit and confirms horror injury concern ahead of Chelsea

Pep Guardiola says Cole Palmer had asked to leave the club for two straight seasons before securing his £40million Chelsea move in the summer. Palmer has since been the star of the show in west London, scoring 20 league goals so far to keep the Blues in the hunt for European football next season. 

Manchester City meanwhile have crashed out of the Champions League, and face Chelsea for a ticket to defend the FA Cup title they won last season. Asked why he sold such a talented player, the City boss said: “He was asking for two seasons to leave Man City. I said: stay. He wanted to leave. What can we do?!” “He’s an exceptional player with super potential... I didn't give him the minutes he deserves that he now has at Chelsea.”

Erling Haaland a doubt for Wembley

On the injury front, the City manager also confirmed his striker Erling Haaland was doubtful for the game having felt something in his muscle. The absence of Manchester City’s leading scorer could be devasting in a game of such importance.

Speaking ahead of the game, Guardiola told reporters when asked about team news and injuries: "Erling felt something, a muscular issue and that's why he said he could not continue, Kevin felt exhausted and after what happened with injured for five months, that is normal.

"The doctor said it was a little bit niggles [with Haaland] and we will see the evolution in the next hours. The amount of games we are playing this season and the previous season not much recovery and extra time and high intensity and the way we played, put a lot of pressure on our game. They are human beings, not machines. Sometimes the fatigue is there."

Manchester City are favourites for the game tomorrow night but having endured a draining defeat to Real Madrid on Wednesday, it will be interesting to how they deal with the slippery Chelsea.