Chelsea

We asked for your thoughts after Chelsea's FA Cup final defeat by Manchester City.

Here are some of your comments:

Keith: A very good performance just lacked that cutting edge up front. Disappointed? Yes, but hopefully we can build on this in the last two games and next season under a permanent manager.

Kate: We turned up and put in a really good performance, although we never looked liked scoring. What a difference Colwill makes - boy, have we missed him. Hato was impressive and everyone put in a shift which has been missing in so many games this season.

Jocaleb: Chelsea have spent so much money but today you look at the bench when we went 1-0 down and you simply cannot look at any of the players on the bench and think yes, he can come on and change the game. It's absolutely shocking that we're lacking so much squad depth with so much money spent. No matter what manager comes in unless the owners change their strategy, Chelsea will not win anything for a very long time.

Stevie: We learned that this side can put the yards in and we learned that this side still lack the killer forward we need. We saw again that the business model of the club is to the detriment of the defence and goalkeeper situation. No leaders that stand out on the pitch with regards to pulling them together during the big moments in a game.

Yusuf: Interesting how much the narrative changes if either of the two "shoulder-to-shoulder" penalty shouts are given. Chelsea likely would have seen the game out and had momentum going into the summer with an FA Cup and Alonso at the helm.

James: Not a classic and despite my optimism the result I expected. A massive internal review is needed over the summer. If Chelsea are to take the next step and win finals, signing experienced players is key.

Chally: A much-improved Chelsea performance after a very poor season. They managed to hold off City but showed very little going forward. Need wholesale changes next season.

Bri: A shadow of previous teams. No pace going forward and always an easy option of a backward pass. Palmer a shadow from last season and we have no real threat from a decent number nine!

Sami Mokbel and Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport

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Chelsea are closing in on appointing Spaniard Xabi Alonso as the club's next permanent head coach.

The former Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen boss, 44, is expected to sign a four-year deal in the coming days.

Talks have been ongoing for a number of weeks and Alonso is understood to have been open to the role if he received certain assurances.

What do you think about Alonso being the preferred candidate? Tell us

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On the Wembley occasion...

• There were just 16 shots in this match (Man City 9, Chelsea 7), the lowest in an FA Cup final since Wembley re-opened in 2007.

A familiar feeling in a bad way...

• Chelsea are just the second side to lose four consecutive FA Cup final appearances, after Leicester City between 1949 and 1969.

• Chelsea's Reece James has played in four FA Cup finals and ended on the losing side each time. It's the joint-most different finals a player has appeared in without ever winning the competition, along with Paul Bracewell.

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A familiar feeling in a good way...

• Pep Guardiola is the first ever manager to win three or more English league titles, three or more European Cup/Champions League titles, three or more English FA Cups and three or more English League Cups.

• Man City's Marc Guehi is the fourth player to play for the different winning teams in consecutive FA Cup finals (Crystal Palace last year) after Arthur Kinnaird (Wanderers 1878, Old Etonians 1879), Brian Talbot (Ipswich 1978, Arsenal 1979) and Olivier Giroud (Arsenal 2017, Chelsea 2018).

Some hope for Chelsea...

• At 24 years and 301 days, Chelsea's was the youngest average starting XI for an FA Cup final since Nottingham Forest in 1991 (23y 309d).

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Chelsea interim manager Calum McFarlane speaking to BBC Sport: "I am proud of the performance. I thought it was a really even game. Congratulations to City, they came out on top. The game was decided by one moment of quality. On another day we get that. I thought it was a really even game. I thought we got into some really good areas and both teams created similar chances."

McFarlane thought his side should have had a penalty when Jorell Hato went down but that he has not spoken to the referee.

McFarlane continued: "I am really happy with the performance, how we executed the tactical plan. I thought it worked well at times. This group has shown what they are capable of doing. City are one of the best in the world and we have gone toe to toe with them. It was really even in my opinion."

"We have two games, we need to get six points to give ourselves the best chance of making Europe. It's a massive club, we need to be competing in the best competitions."

Chelsea captain Reece James, speaking to TNT Sports: "I mean disappointing obviously, to lose. Not much in the game. It was pretty even. They had one half chance, and they managed to take it.

"No one is happy when you lose. We have lost a fair few games recently - it has been difficult.

"Every time we step out onto the pitch the target is to win."

On what Chelsea need in the future: "I think the key thing is stability.

"Last week we went to Anfield and probably should have won, then we lose here today. It is difficult. There is a lot we need to learn and to take forward."

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Chelsea have now lost an English football record four FA Cup finals in a row and seven domestic finals in a row since Antonio Conte's side won the FA Cup.

It also leaves Chelsea with the real prospect of missing out on European qualification while ninth in the Premier League.

It will be an issue for any rebuilding job under a new manager.

Former England Striker Wayne Rooney speaking on BBC One: "It wasn't a great game. I thought Chelsea were good. You know with the quality Man City have that sooner or later one of the superstars will open you up. The goal was incredible.

"Chelsea had some half opportunities and penalty shouts that weren't penalties. You just know with City they can create that one chance."

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Micah Richards added: "He has come into the team, played up front at times, on the right. It's very hard to come into a team of superstars but he has shown exactly what he can do. Arguably player of the season this year."

And Daniel Sturridge offered: "Chelsea were very disciplined. It takes those moments of brilliance. A little movement from Haaland and the delicacy of the flick from Semenyo was instinctive. That's what it takes to win titles like this. Again, Bernardo Silva tirelessly working for his team-mates. He has put so much in. Man City keep going from strength to strength. It is a successful season for them in regard to trophies."

Chelsea tasted defeat at Wembley in a hard-fought FA Cup final.

Whether you were at Wembley Stadium or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Chelsea's performance

Come back on Sunday for a selection of your replies

Chelsea make two changes from the side that drew at Liverpool last time out and are given a major boost with the return of captain Reece James.

The England international replaces Andrey Santos and comes into a possible back five that was fielded at Anfield last Saturday.

The other change sees Robert Sanchez start in goal in place of Filip Jorgensen.

Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Fofana, Colwill, Hato, Gusto, James, Caicedo, Fernandez, Cucurella, Palmer, Pedro.

Substitutes: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Adarabioyo, Essugo, Chalobah, Delap, Garnacho, Neto, Santos

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola makes five changes to the side that thumped Crystal Palace during midweek.

They, too, are boosted by the return of Rodri, with the midfielder recovering from a groin injury.

A major surprise sees Rayan Cherki dropped to the bench with Omar Marmoush keeping in place in the starting line-up, while the likes of Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Nico O'Reilly all return.

Cup keeper James Trafford keeps his place in goal for the final in place of Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Phil Foden and Savinho are on the bench but Josko Gvardiol and Rayan Ait-Nouri miss out altogether.

Man City XI: Trafford, Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, O'Reilly, Rodri, Silva, Semenyo, Marmoush, Doku, Haaland

Substitutes: Donnarumma, Ake, Cherki, Foden, Kovacic, Savinho, Reijnders, Stones, Dias

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.

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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