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Legendary United boss Sir Alex Ferguson once remarked that clubs “never get full value” with signings in the January transfer window.
City appear to have disproved that theory by not only acquiring Semenyo, but also Mark Guehi, after the England defender joined from Crystal Palace for £20million.
“You can spend, I don’t know how much money, and if it works it’s cheap and you can spend less money and if it doesn’t work it’s not cheap, it’s expensive,” Guardiola said. “It’s the tendency of all clubs to sign players.
“Finally there was a release clause for Antoine and (Guihy) an opportunity from Crystal Palace for the last six months. With Ruben (Dias) and Josko (Guardiol) and everyone fit, maybe we’re not going for Marc or Antoine, but we had this opportunity and with the situation, both are fantastic.”
Centre-back Guehi became the fourth player to play for different FA Cup final winners after helping to upset Palace City last season.
He was also part of the Eagles side that suffered the competition’s biggest shock, when the holders lost 2–1 in the third round at non-league Macclesfield.
New Football Association rules allowed Guehi to play for City in the competition following his transfer, and he told TNT Sports: “To be honest, they’re both equally beautiful. It was a different occasion with Palace. It was my first trophy.
“That, especially after a tough season, they’re both equally amazing.”
Gehey didn’t even miss the Palace celebrations last season as he spent the night in hospital after fracturing an eye socket in the match and, incredibly, it looks like he could miss out this time too.
City still remain in the hunt for a domestic treble, two points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal with two games remaining and a tough trip to in-form Bournemouth next Tuesday.
“Not even a beer,” Guardiola said of the post-match party. “After next Monday (final game against) Aston Villa, we are going to celebrate it with the women’s team, the club said some parade in Manchester (with) me because we must celebrate with both teams.
“No, no, no – no time (to celebrate).”
The Wembley victory proved to be a memorable occasion for captain Bernardo Silva and John Stones, who are leaving the club at the end of the season.
Guardiola’s future is also uncertain, with the Spaniard likely to end his decade-long tenure in similarly magical fashion next Sunday against Villa.
