The Spanish tactician made a total of eight changes from Wednesday's win at Borussia Dortmund, which included benching Ederson for second choice goalkeeper Zack Steffen.
Despite barely troubling Chelsea's Kepa Arrizabalaga for most of the game, Guardiola has defended his decision to make multiple changes.
"Everyone deserved to play, don't say we don't pay attention, when this team reached four finals in a row in a Carabao Cup. Just say we lost the game and when we lose the game the decisions are bad but it is a poor argument. You don't get to the semi-finals of the FA Cup or final of the Carabao Cup four years in a row when we don't pay attention.
"We go to Cheltenham and play many many games and always play to try to win the game. It was a tight game, congratulations to Chelsea - they are a top side. This can happen. If you believe we don't pay attention for that, what if the result was completely different and we won with eight changes?
"Say it before the game that Pep doesn't pay attention or the players don't, but don't say after just because we lose the game. These guys fight every game like never before I've seen. Now we don't pay attention?
"We respect the FA Cup a lot, we come here to win and next time tell me which people say that. Do you think [Raheem] Sterling, or Gabriel [Jesus], or Ferran [Torres] don't deserve to play the game? Say it."