THE ROAD TO WEMBLEY

While the rest of the known world is humming along to videos of former Bilbo near-hitmaker Colin Chisholm belting out the Hearts song, down south there’s an FA Cup final to be played. The romance of the Cup? About that: private equity Chelsea underdogs versus nation-state owned Manchester City? Be still our beating heart. Sure, there’s narrative to be found. Calum McFarlane getting measured for his Wembley suit when less than 12 months ago he was on Southampton’s coaching staff is one. Though, considering recent ongoing events at Saints, any romance there has probably been squeezed dry. That Chelsea’s players put in such a fine performance in the semi-final against Leeds mere days after not running a leg for Liam Rosenior at Brighton casts long shadows over a squad not exactly beloved by fans.

Remember Enzo Maresca? There’s a chance that we will be hearing a lot more from him since Pep Guardiola’s future remains opaque, perhaps most of all to Guardiola himself. The search for signals goes down all sorts of alleys. Just what was he doing at Stockport County? Why are fitness coaches marching through the door marked Do One? Why does he keep talking about holidays and cocktails? What, precisely, is that centre-circle display that resembles Michael Jackson at the 1996 Brits that a candid camera caught being rehearsed?

Will Saturday reveal any truth in the rumours? Almost certainly not, City are still fighting for the Premier League title, and have got to go to Bournemouth and get something. Perhaps only after that’s decided will Guardiola decide. Maresca sits by the phone. In the meantime, City have been getting on with the real business at hand, snotting the nose of their city rivals in Thursday’s Youth Cup final, one that ended in bad blood. It started that way, too, after an almighty row over the game being staged at City’s Joie Stadium, rather than the Etihad. Only 6,000 could attend, as opposed to the 67,000 who watched United win 2022’s final at Old Trafford.

There were accusations of empty seats, too, even in that bijoux venue. The Manchester rivalry long ago descended to acute levels of pettiness, United fans taking great glee in the availability of tickets across town when, even in doldrum times, Old Trafford is usually still full to the gunwales. What of the actual football? City’s academy players triumphed 2-1, the winner scored by Reigan Heskey, son of Emile, to claim a fifth Youth Cup, a trophy bound tightly into the United backstory to heap further misery on the first team finishing behind City for the last 13 years. Darren Fletcher, United’s coach, was not very happy. “I’m disappointed in the FA for everything that’s gone around this game, for the location, for everything,” he wailed, especially annoyed at an extended trophy presentation that put Chelsea’s Trump-assisted Copa Gianni lift to shame. More glory for Manchester City, more harrumphing from rivals. Just as they like it.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Sing as loud as you can. It’ll be hard to hear them, but we know they’re there. We know who we’re representing. We know how many people will be watching. It’s not just about who’s there but actually getting into that lion’s den still being an underdog. Even though we’ve been top of the league since September, we’re still the underdog. For us to be competing with Celtic, with the money they’ve got and everything they’ve got at their disposal, it’s a huge effort for our team. We look forward to it” – Derek McInnes wants the 752 Hearts fans who will be at Celtic Park for the title finale to give their vocal cords a workout for the ages as his side aim to break the Old Firm’s 40-year title duopoly.

FOOTBALL DAILY LETTERS

Spare a thought for us long-suffering Hull City fans (you know, the team you predicted would lose the second leg of the playoff semi-final against Millwall 1-0). Feeling safe in the knowledge we were back at Wembley hoping to make it three playoff final victories out of three, many of us have invested several hundred pounds in non-refundable train and hotel bookings. We’re now told, thanks to Southampton’s Austin Powers escapades, that the game may go ahead, but maybe it won’t. I figured the furtive finger-crossing of the semi-finals was over but with tickets going on sale on Friday (maybe) it’s a case of caveat emptor. And the 4.30pm kick-off only just announced makes it a challenge for folk to get home on the same night. It’s grim up north” – David Burnby.

I understand plans are afoot to have some sort of extravagant Super Bowl-style entertainment at half-time during the Geopolitics World Cup final. Given the time now being taken over VAR adjudication, it’s surely only a matter of time before some entertainment pops up here to keep people engaged. I was wondering if any clubs are already on the case, perhaps some are indulging in a round or two of ‘I spy, with my little eye’?” – Michael Lloyd.

Jonathan Liew ponders why VAR is getting more frequent if the much-reviled technology only generates a constant stream of outrage, debate and engagement. Isn’t that the point?” – Z Snook.

Xabi Alonso will bring essential recent experience to Chelsea – particularly his familiarity with being ushered through the door marked Do One only months into a long-term contract …” – Phil Taverner.

If you have any, please send letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s prizeless letter o’ the day winner is … David Burnby. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, are here. 

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