Pep Guardiola disrupted Manchester City’s EFL Cup semi-final preparations by revealing that Rayan Cherki took a painful knock during Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur. On Tuesday afternoon, the manager explained that the club’s medical team would assess the 22-year-old midfielder’s injury, sustained two days earlier, before finalising the squad for Wednesday’s decisive game against Newcastle United.

Guardiola didn’t share many details about the injury’s severity. Even so, he made it clear that Cherki’s spot in the lineup depends on these last-minute fitness tests. The news is a major letdown for fans. The playmaker was a standout in North London, where he scored a beautiful goal before City let their two-goal lead slip away.

𝘽𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙆𝙄𝙉𝙂: Rayan Cherki has suffered ‘a knock’ against Tottenham and will be assessed ahead of Newcastle tomorrow, Pep Guardiola confirms! 🚨‼️ pic.twitter.com/aOlCIWkN8t

— City Report (@cityreport_) February 3, 2026

With the French international forces out, Guardiola scraps his usual creative plan. On paper, this match should be an easy stroll to Wembley. Cherki left Olympique Lyonnais for Manchester City in June 2025 for a steal at £34 million. Since that move, he has become a crucial part of the...