Chelsea

Chelsea will need discipline and defensive solidity if they are to find a way past Manchester City in Saturday's FA Cup final.

There were encouraging signs in that regard last weekend, as interim head coach Calum McFarlane's switch to a back three (or five out of possession) yielded a 1-1 draw against Liverpool. The system offered greater protection in wide areas and a more compact defensive structure overall.

The return of Levi Colwill added balance to the backline, while Reece James made an impact from the bench, boosting the squad options heading into the final.

Long spells of sustained pressure are to be expected against Pep Guardiola's side, so Chelsea will likely need both patience and concentration without the ball.

The bigger question, though, is where the decisive moment might come from.

Cole Palmer, so often Chelsea's attacking focal point, is currently enduring a 10-game goal drought. That places added responsibility on others, with Joao Pedro's movement and Enzo Fernandez's composure in key moments potentially decisive if Chelsea are to take their chance when it comes.

Manchester City are overwhelming favourites heading into the showdown against Chelsea and on the back of a domestic 20-game unbeaten run.

Guardiola takes his side to Wembley in a cup semi-final or final for the 24th time to face a Chelsea side out of form and led by inexperienced interim boss Calum McFarlane.

City are aiming for a treble of trophies and know they can collect the second cup of the campaign after lifting the Carabao Cup earlier this season - that winning mentality and big-game experience may prove pivotal.

However, their challenge may be derailed by missing the experience and guile of Rodri. The Spaniard is set to travel to London but it is not yet clear whether he has recovered from a groin injury - the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner would be a huge miss in midfield.

City are into a record fourth consecutive final but the wounds of the past two are still raw, beaten by bitter rivals Manchester United two years ago and stunned by Crystal Palace last May.

Striker Erling Haaland has never scored at Wembley. Will that barren streak continue for the Norwegian?

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Steven Gerrard, former England and Liverpool captain on 5 Live Sport: "This will be biggest day of Calum McFarlane's career so far by some distance. I don't think he would have been given this responsibility if they didn't really rate him and think he got a bright future, if he didn't have the respect of dressing room.

"He's shown in big games that he's capable tactically. It wasn't happening under the previous manager so a change, a fresh voice, tweak tactics, a different game plan.

"As we saw in the semi-final, I think tactically they were spot on. I'm sure he's got a lot of support around him. It's an incredible opportunity, good luck to him."

Pep rested players in midweek when City beat Crystal Palace and left Erling Haaland out, much to the annoyance of Fantasy Premier League managers.

Haaland will be back in the team at Wembley, though, and he will benefit from the rest, along with the likes of Rayan Cherki.

Chelsea have been patchy all season and if they have one of their bad days, then this could get a bit messy for them.

Sutton's prediction: 0-5

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Matt Jones
BBC Sport journalist

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The 145th FA Cup final could be Pep Guardiola's last shot at silverware as Manchester City manager.

Chelsea, in crisis for much of the campaign, stand between him and a 20th trophy with the club.

A season that promised so much has turned into a nightmare for the Stamford Bridge outfit. Enzo Maresca's departure as head coach in January triggered a tumultuous spell under Liam Rosenior, marked by significant decline in performance and professionalism among several players in the squad.

Yet under interim head coach Calum McFarlane, Chelsea edged past Leeds in the semi-finals, and last weekend's 1-1 draw at Liverpool showed signs of rekindled spirit. McFarlane was also in charge in January – in his first interim spell after Maresca's exit - when the Blues snatched a 1-1 draw at City.

Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez missed the Liverpool game with concussion but could return. Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho are doubts. Estevao, Jesse Derry and Jamie Gittens are all out.

As shown in the graphic below, either Chelsea or City have been involved in each of the last nine FA Cup finals. However, they have had limited success with City winning twice and Chelsea just once.

Although it would be foolish to rule out Chelsea, there is no doubt City are the big favourites.

Guardiola's side may come up just short in the Premier League title race – they are two points behind Arsenal with two games to play – but a domestic cup double is a rare feat; this would only be the sixth time this has ever happened.

City will also be keen to right the wrongs of the last two seasons, in which they've lost two FA Cup finals in timid fashion.

A year ago, they were beaten by Crystal Palace after Eberechi Eze's goal and Omar Marmoush's saved penalty. In 2024, local rivals Manchester United stunned Guardiola's side.

Guardiola, who has been linked with an end-of-season exit for much of the campaign, will not want to sign off his time at City with just a fourth major final loss with the club. After a raft of changes to the team for Wednesday's clash with Palace in the Premier League, a win under the Wembley arch now looks to be the clear priority.

However, Guardiola has confirmed that Rodri remains a doubt for the game. He has not played since the win over Arsenal on April 19.

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea fan Nina Hristova...

The FA Cup final carries huge weight for Chelsea. After yet another dismal season, it represents a chance to secure silverware, something that would go a long way in restoring confidence within the squad, and finally end what has felt like a lingering Wembley 'curse'.

However, there is a sense that Manchester City are approaching it with just as much intent. Pep Guardiola's team selection against Crystal Palace, resting key players despite the title race still being in the balance, underlined how important this competition remains to them. Even with rotation, City were still dangerous and in control, a level of squad depth and quality that Chelsea simply do not have the luxury of.

The Blues have lost their past six finals at Wembley, but City have had frustrations of their own in this competition, losing their past two FA Cup finals, which will only charge them further.

From a Chelsea supporter's perspective, confidence is low. The belief that this side can rise to the occasion in big games against elite opposition, once almost expected, has faded in recent times.

The record against City only adds to that feeling, with no victory since the 2021 Champions League final. Even at their very 'best', Chelsea have often only ever been good enough to come away with a draw.

The only real hope is that it's a final, and finals have a habit of defying form and expectation - and that's the small bit of optimism supporters will hang on to on Saturday.

For a squad packed with players yet to win major honours, winning an FA Cup could be the moment that shifts the mindset and expectations around what this group is capable of going forward.

Find more from Nina Hristova at Nina's Chelsea Corner, external

Manchester City fan Emily Brobyn...

On Saturday, attention turns to the oldest cup competition in football. It's a final that's being contested by two Premier League sides that are no strangers to lifting this piece of silverware.

Chelsea have won it eight times, City on seven occasions. But Pep Guardiola's side have made more history just by reaching the final this year. They became the first team to reach the FA Cup final in four consecutive seasons - the last time they won it was back in 2023 as part of their Treble season.

It's been a turbulent season for Chelsea. After sacking Enzo Maresca, then bringing in interim boss Calum McFarlane, the Blues appointed Liam Rosenior - to disastrous effect. McFarlane is back in charge - who, interestingly, managed to salvage a late 1-1 at the Etihad earlier in the year. Sitting in ninth place in the league, with hopes of Europe fading, an FA Cup win would really provide a much-needed boost of confidence for them.

City already have silverware in the bag, The League Cup is sitting pretty in the trophy cabinet, but would look even sweeter with an FA Cup next to it. A Premier League trophy is highly unlikely this season, with Arsenal having a two-point advantage and the easier fixtures left, but a double would be a perfect send-off for the departing Bernardo Silva and John Stones.

With rumours circling about Pep's future - could it be the last final he leads City to? Or would he want to give the Premier League another shot next season and see the final year of his contract out?

With key players rested during the 3-0 win over Crystal Palace, the rotation was a strong indication of the respect Pep has for the trophy - and how much he'd love to win it again.

City have already lost the last two FA Cup finals on the spin. Losing a third? Barring an unmitigated disaster, I can't see a world in which that happens.

Emily Brobyn is regularly on BBC Radio Manchester - find all their Man City audio here

Image source, Getty Images

BBC commentator John Murray says Manchester City "are strong favourites" to win the FA Cup, but Chelsea proved they can "put in a performance" in their semi-final win against Leeds United.

The two sides will meet at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, with the Blues hoping to have a positive end to a disappointing season and City looking to continue their campaign for a domestic Treble.

"It's always a very special day in the English footballing calendar," said Murray. "A very special day.

"Let's not gloss over the fact that it shouldn't be being played before the end of the Premier League season, which has now become set in stone. It should be that the FA Cup final comes after the end of the Premier League season.

"Manchester City are strong favourites. Virtually a clean bill of health and obviously there are a lot of question marks at the moment hanging over Chelsea and where they're going what's going to happen.

"Whereas Manchester City just feel that they are in the groove. Although, I guess Pep Guardiola's got that balancing act because he obviously had the the game midweek against Crystal Palace and he's got the game at Bournemouth on Tuesday.

"They're still very much in the title race.

"They were probably strong favourites going into the final last year against Crystal, but City have lost the last two finals and only one club before has lost three successive finals, and that ironically was Chelsea.

"Chelsea have lost their last three FA Cup finals that they've been in, but they really turned up for that semi-final against Leeds United.

"So there is recent memory for those players of turning up and putting in a performance at Wembley."

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• Manchester City are the first team to play in four consecutive FA Cup finals, beating Manchester United in 2023 before losing to the Red Devils in 2024 and Crystal Palace in 2025. Only Chelsea (2020 to 2022) have ever lost the FA Cup final in three consecutive campaigns.

• Chelsea's 13-game winless run against City is their longest against an opponent since going 17 without a victory against Arsenal between January 1999 and March 2004.

• Since losing the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League final to Chelsea, City haven't lost any of their last 13 games against the Blues in all competitions (W10 D3), their longest unbeaten run against them.

• Erling Haaland is looking to score in a final for Manchester City for the first time – he has played in nine finals (including the Community Shield) and had 15 shots without success. His last goal in a final was for Borussia Dortmund against RB Leipzig in May 2021 in the German DFB Pokal, when he scored twice.

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

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Chelsea winger Estevao Willian is set to avoid surgery on the hamstring he injured last month.

Sources deny any disagreement following recent reports of a dispute between the 18-year-old's camp and Chelsea over whether he should have an operation.

Estevao's injury, sustained while sprinting for the ball against Manchester United on 18 April, will rule him out of the World Cup as he didn't make Brazil's 55-man preliminary list.

The forward was close to tears as he left the pitch , and has since been given time in Brazil to focus on his recovery.

Having joined Chelsea last summer from Palmeiras, Estevao hoped the move would boost his chances of a call-up to Carlo Ancelotti's squad for the tournament in North America.

In announcing he will leave Bournemouth, it remains unclear where Marcos Senesi will go and, although he is known to have spoken to multiple clubs, he is choosing his next move carefully.

Sources at Chelsea have played down any suggestion they will make a move for him this summer, with Tottenham, Barcelona and Juventus also linked.

However, Senesi has just turned 29 and this could be the last - and perhaps only - major contract of his career.

His demands for substantial personal terms saw him leave Bournemouth after three offers, and they will be key for any club looking to sign him - potentially saving on a transfer fee but having to offer a competitive salary.

That will be central to any deal for Senesi, whose stock has never been higher after making only his second and third appearances for Argentina during this campaign.

Alex Bysouth
BBC Sport Senior Journalist

There's something magical about those seconds before the FA Cup final kicks off. Trumpets and tin-foil trophies, players as tense as the travelling fans, gaffers pacing the dugout in full club suits. The anticipation of a new hero emerging.

Some goals, though, are written in FA Cup folklore, rolled out for every cup final montage - they're the belters, the moments of individual magic, the strikes that sealed shock wins.

I've chosen 10 that make an all-time list and here's a peek at one of them. You can access the full article below to see where I've ranked it.

Roberto di Matteo - Chelsea v Middlesbrough 1997

Fans were still getting comfortable in their seats, the first toots of a trumpet echoing around Wembley, with not even a minute having passed when Roberto di Matteo collected a pass 10 yards inside his own half.

The Italian surged forward, Middlesbrough's midfield seemingly still in the dressing room, until he reached 30 yards from goal and unleashed a ferocious effort that appeared to pick up speed as it cannoned into the net off the underside of the crossbar.

The midfielder set off in pure elation, sprinting down the touchline, team-mates trying to haul him back to celebrate. Chelsea went on to win 2-0, the club's first major trophy in 26 years.

See my 10 selections in full

Chelsea are targeting a move for AC Milan keeper Mike Maignan but the Stamford Bridge club's hopes of landing the 30-year-old France international could be hindered if they do not secure a Champions League spot. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), external

Brazil international Joao Pedro has been linked with Barcelona but Chelsea have no intention of selling the 24-year-old striker. (Mail), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

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Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane has been speaking to the media before Saturday's FA Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• McFarlane confirmed captain Reece James and Levi Colwill have trained well this week and are available for the final.

• The Blues boss is also hopeful Pedro Neto, Alejandro Garnacho and Robert Sanchez can also be in contention.

• He said their recent league form "has been way below the standard" expected, but the final of this "prestigious" competition is an opportunity to add more silverware to the club's cabinet, adding: "We want to win it."

• In response to Xabi Alonso being linked with the full-time job: "There are a lot of names linked with the job but it's not my place to say who should get it."

• On how he will feel managing Chelsea at a final at Wembley: "I'll feel all the emotions, I'd imagine. I can't tell you how I'll feel on the day."

• McFarlane said he hasn't managed in a game "of this magnitude" before, but they are preparing in the same way as if it was any other match. He added: "We'll make it as normal as possible, but it's a massive game and you can't hide away from it because we all want to win the game."

• On opponents Manchester City playing midweek: "It's tough when you have a game midweek and have a triple gameweek. We've had a lot of them this year but we are concentrating on ourselves. We need to be at our best."

• He said City "are going to be a challenge," but his team "have the belief they can beat anyone if they are at their best."

• On whether there's any pressure to win: "When you're at a club like this, there's always pressure. There's pressure to win every game but this game as well - we have to accept it and embrace that."

Watch Saturday's FA Cup final on BBC One and iPlayer or listen to live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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Chelsea and Manchester United have Real Sociedad's 24-year-old Spain forward Ander Barrenetxea on their list of potential signings this summer. (Marca - in Spanish), external

Blues and Galatasaray are interested in signing 23-year-old English forward Jonathan Rowe from Bologna. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), external

Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande, who will reportedly cost £80m, has been linked to Chelsea and Liverpool but the 19-year-old is in no rush to leave RB Leipzig. (The Athletic - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann has outlined his idea to improve how corners are officiated in future.

In the aftermath of weekend controversy over players grappling in the penalty area, he has told BBC Sport a rule whereby attacking players cannot enter the six-yard box until a corner has been taken would be his preference.

Ex-Premier League defender Nedum Onuoha backed the idea and thinks it will add "creativity" to corner kicks and the move would force "people to think in a different way".

You can watch a clip of the debate above, with Onuoha stating: "Twenty players standing in the six-yard box, you have to ask yourself, is that what you want to see? And is that the best version of the game?"

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Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

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Forward Mathis Eboue was on Chelsea's first team bench at Liverpool on Saturday in a breakthrough season.

The 17‑year‑old has been nominated for the league's Player of the Season award alongside striker Chizaram Ezenwata, after his side lifted the Under-18s Premier League this weekend.

He has six goals and provided three assists in his final six matches of the season. It was also the year he earned his first professional contract and made debut appearances in the EFL Trophy, Uefa Youth League and Premier League International Cup.

Eboue, typically operating as an inverted left winger and using his pace to score and create goals, joined Chelsea just 18 months ago amid interest from Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Wolves.

While it may appear a straightforward rise‑and‑rise story, the youngster — who prides himself on being a good team‑mate behind the scenes — is described as "resilient" by those who know him well.

One example cited is how he manages Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy, a medical condition diagnosed in April 2022. The condition does not prevent participation in elite sport but can involve muscle jerks and, if poorly managed, seizures.

His mother, Aurelie Bertrand, has guided Eboue's career to date, from kicking a ball at the age of four to joining the Total Football Academy in north London, where he was also mentored by former Arsenal academy player and EFL footballer Jo Kuffour.

It was at the Top Ballerz Academy that the now England Under-17 international was spotted by Watford at the age of 13 — unusually late for such a highly rated youngster.

He has also shifted from idolising Neymar as a child to citing Cristiano Ronaldo as his inspiration, particularly for his work ethic.

It will take further hard work, more goals and continued resilience for Eboue to establish himself at Chelsea — but that remains his ambition as he looks to maximise his potential.

Real Madrid are unsure whether to trigger a buy-back clause for Como's Spanish defender Jacobo Ramon this summer, so Chelsea could have a chance to sign the 21-year-old. (Sun), external

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has been ruled out of contention for the Manchester United job as Michael Carrick edges closer to being appointed on a permanent basis, leaving Iraola free to discuss the vacancies at Crystal Palace and Chelsea. (Mail - subscription required), external

Chelsea have held initial talks with ex-Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso, and contacted Andoni Iraola and Marco Silva. (Times - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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We asked for your views on which manager you would like to see at Chelsea next.

Here are some of your comments:

Graham: Andoni Iraola would be my choice. Love the high intensity football, and he knows how to get the best out of the hand he is dealt. No matter what manager is chosen, they need to have more of a say on the running of the squad. Let's hope BlueCo has finally woken up.

Mak: Cesc Fabregas should be the next manager, period. His passion for the game coupled with Premier League experience and a bit of Blue in him makes him the top choice for me.

Nick: Too soon for Cesc Fabregas. Iraola my strong preference, because of his style of play and his ability to improve players and gel them into a team. But no decent manager will take the job unless they have ultimate say over transfers. That would mean Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart [sporting directors] taking a back seat. Or, preferably, leaving.

Peter: We need to stop looking at mid-table team managers and look for those with vision - the new Pep Guardiola or Jose Mourinho - but that requires the management to allow them to manage. The best manager Chelsea could have had in the past two years manages the US women's team [Emma Hayes] but even she would struggle with ownership intervention.

Clayton: Why are all the people who put down Liam Rosenior and Graham Potter wanting Iraola? He's been great this season, but so were Potter and Rosenior. I thought people wanted someone with experience at the top level and who can be a bit of a mentor to the players. Only Xabi Alonso ticks this from the list, although Frank Lampard is a proven winner as player and now manager.

Olu: We need a coach with trophies in his cabinet. No more trials, we need a winner and Xabi Alonso is the only choice.

Scott: It would be a real coup if we got Alonso in. He's a class manager and even at Real Madrid, the job he did was respectable. If there's one manager on the market who's guaranteed to take us back to top four and could have us competing for the league again, it's him.

Steve: Anyone but Marco Silva, he is the most underwhelming candidate; which under this ownership and sporting directors means that he is probably who we are going to end up with.

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