As a child growing up in the Ukraine Aleks Zinchenko would dream of a career in professional football, but when he walks out at Wembley for one of the most famous cup finals in the game it will be an occasion beyond his wildest fantasies.
Having made the left-back slot his own for the Blues recently Zinchenko would appear a certain starter against Watford in the FA Cup final this weekend. If he is included in Pep Guardiola's team it would be the first time in his City career that he's started six successive games and would be the latest milestone in his remarkable rise.
The 22-year-old played all 120 minutes of City's Carabao Cup final win over Chelsea at Wembley in February, but walking out for the FA Cup final will be another level entirely for Zinchenko.
The converted left-back was fascinated by the FA Cup as a youngster and for Zinchenko winning the oldest cup competition in world football this weekend will mean just as much as those back-to-back Premier League titles.
"It’s an unbelievable feeling to be honest," he said. "To play at that stadium, in the final and to go to fight for a title.
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"A final is always special, and we can’t wait for that. For me when I was younger, the cup was just as important as the Premier League. I don’t know how other players think about it but for me it’s like this.
"I would dream of playing at a high level, I didn’t realise that I would be here and getting ready for an FA Cup final. It’s a dream."
City have made Wembley a second home in recent seasons. Having played Tottenham there twice in the Premier League they've also featured in the last two Carabao Cup finals and will add the FA Cup final to the semi-final win over Brighton at the national staidum.
"It’s a special stadium with a special atmosphere. I’ve played there against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final and the atmosphere was incredible," Zinchenko said.
"The stadium is special no matter who you are playing against."
City will be strong favourites to beat Watford on Saturday and claim the FA Cup to add to their league title and the Carabao Cup.
By doing so they'd become the first team in history to claim the domestic treble, but Zinchenko is wary of the threat posed by the Hornets, who warmed up for the final in disappointing circumstances with a 4-1 final day defeat to West Ham.
"Watford have very good players, especially up top. Their manager and the way they play, I like it," Zinchenko said.
"It’s going to be tough against them, I’m sure of that. But I think every single game, our target is to show everyone who we are."
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