Missing Players and team news:
Manchester City boss Guardiola once again has the unenviable task of selecting from a fully-fit squad for Saturday’s final, as Ilkay Gundogan has brushed off a recent scare to declare himself fit. Gundogan should therefore man the midfield alongside Bernardo Silva – who is aiming to extend his unbeaten Champions League streak to 27 games – while Fernandinho’s exemplary showing against PSG could see him rewarded with a start over Rodri. Joao Cancelo was nowhere to be seen against Everton and is facing an uphill battle to displace Oleksandr Zinchenko on the left-hand side, with Kyle Walker all but guaranteed to start on the right. Guardiola’s policy of leaving out a recognised number nine in the Champions League continues to work wonders, and the City boss has affirmed that there can be no room for sentiment, so Sergio Aguero may be forced to cope with a substitute outing in his final game for the club. Aguero on the bench would allow Kevin De Bruyne to function as a false nine with Foden and Mahrez alongside him, with the former set to become the third-youngest English player to feature from the first whistle in the Champions League final. Chelsea boss Tuchel does have a couple of concerns to manage for the showpiece event, though, as first-choice goalkeeper Edouard Mendy had to be replaced at half time against Villa after colliding with the post. Tuchel is optimistic that Mendy will be able to pull on the gloves this weekend, though, and N’Golo Kante is also expected to be fit despite missing the final day of the Premier League season with a thigh issue. Cesar Azpilicueta has had his red card at Villa Park rescinded, although that would not have affected his participation in the final, and the Spaniard should take his rightful place in the back three alongside Thiago Silva and Antonio Rudiger. A fit-again Mateo Kovacic will aim to demote Jorginho to the bench after playing a minor role in Real Madrid’s previous Champions League successes, and Kante ought to be well enough to man the engine room. Mount is untouchable in the front three, and Tuchel has two huge calls to make in the final third, but compatriots Timo Werner and Kai Havertz could be trusted in Porto.
