Chelsea

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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.

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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

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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

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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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Will Faulks
Fan writer

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Chelsea broke a losing run and picked up a draw against Liverpool in the Premier League, giving them a sliver of hope as they head into a week of preparation for Saturday's FA Cup final.

But is there any reason to believe this Blues team have a chance against Manchester City? Did they really show signs of improvement at Anfield or were they just up against a Liverpool team who matched them for fragility and disorganisation?

Certainly, the early signs in the game weren't good. After conceding after a couple of minutes against Nottingham Forest a week ago, the Blues made it just five this time before allowing Ryan Gravenberch space on the edge of the box to blast one in.

Despite coaches and players saying after every recent game that this issue is something they need to work on, nothing has changed.

What did improve a little compared with recent months was the response. Chelsea actually looked like a team with belief they could get back into the game, a huge departure from their usual defeatist shrugs and recriminations.

But the reason that belief was able to grow was the home team were so hesitant themselves. Huge gaps in midfield allowed the likes of Moises Caicedo to get on the ball and turn the tide. Manchester City won't give up even a fraction of the space Liverpool did.

If Calum McFarlane's team can defend well for at least an hour at Wembley, they might have a chance. If they continue their habit of conceding early, the game could be over before it ever really begins for a Chelsea team who are very lucky to be playing in this match at all given their recent form.

Find more from Will Faulks at Chelsea News, external

Juventus are considering a loan move for Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson. The forward is on loan at Bayern Munich but will not be with the German champions next season. (Bild - in German), external

Sporting and Portugal midfielder Francisco Trincao, 26, is attracting attention from Chelsea and Liverpool. (Caught Offside), external

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Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

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Chelsea have started to make contact with prospective managerial candidates as they move towards appointing the club's next permanent head coach.

Andoni Iraola, Xabi Alonso and Marco Silva are among those already known to be on the list of names to replace Liam Rosenior, who was sacked last month, while it is understood Crystal Palace head coach Oliver Glasner also features in Chelsea's thoughts.

Former Flamengo head coach Filipe Luis and Como boss Cesc Fabregas, who both played for Chelsea, are understood to have admirers at Stamford Bridge.

It is hoped that a new head coach will be appointed well before the start of pre-season training in early July.

Iraola, Alonso, Silva and Glasner are all out of work, or scheduled to be without a club, by the end of the season which means Chelsea would not be required to pay compensation.

Blues fans, who would be your preferred candidate? And why?

Let us know here

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Liverpool and Chelsea.

Here are some of your comments:

Liverpool fans

Ben: Yet again, Liverpool look like the Liverpool from the 90s/2000s: a lot of hope and expectation, but no end product and struggling against teams that others have been knocking seven bells out of. Although it looks like Champions League football should be coming back to Anfield next season, barring a serious problem, it should still be with a different manager at the helm. Slot is not the person to take the club forward, especially given how backwards they have been this season!

Chris: Liverpool's greatest strength is arguably the Anfield crowd, with whom Slot's relationship is hanging by a thread. His job must be too.

Erik: Just flat, devoid of ideas and seeing the season out really. Really hoping for change and some spark next season.

Fuzzy: No pressing, no intensity, no identity, no passion. If Rio was subbed because of an injury, then fine. But if it was another Slot tactical change, it was criminal to take him off, because he was our best player going forward. As for Slot, no ideas!

Chelsea fans

Tristan: Finally, we have found some courage and confidence. Again, conceding early and a disappointing second half but this is a boosting performance. Although we are not going to do it, let's just keep on believing for Champions League football and pray Villa win the Europa League.

Andrea: I thought that we were much improved. We created chances and were on top for some parts of the game. We could have won it during the second part of the first half.

Edmund: Excellent performance by these Chelsea lads. Proved they still can put up a fight. Hopefully, once we sort out our manager's position, we will be back to our usual Chelsea self next season. But the appointment of our manager must be an inspiring and competent one. No more experiments.

Pete: Chelsea are a young team but they are not playing consistently as a team yet. Can somebody teach them to put in a well-managed game, with some flair, and know when to tighten up? Will anyone stay as manager long enough to do that? Everyone who knows football understands multiple managers within a season is a sign the owners do not understand.

Pundits Wayne Rooney and Ashley Williams join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Fulham 0-1 Bournemouth

• Sunderland 0-0 Manchester United

• Manchester City 3-0 Brentford

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

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This was the upturn in performance Chelsea badly needed.

After a six-match losing run in the league, this felt like a small step in the right direction.

Fan protests are planned on Wembley Way before next weekend's FA Cup final against Manchester City, but at least Chelsea will not go into that game on the back of another defeat.

If the losing cycle had continued at Anfield, it would have meant Chelsea suffering seven consecutive league defeats for only the second time in their history, and for the first time for 74 years.

They would also have become the first team in English football history to lose seven matches heading into an FA Cup final.

It was crucial, therefore, to stem the bleeding in a bleak spell that has already cost former head coach Liam Rosenior his job.

Monday's 3-1 defeat by a second-string Nottingham Forest side was a dismal way for interim head coach Calum McFarlane to mark his first league match in charge.

McFarlane can, however, point to a number of positives. He earned his first victory of this second spell in charge in the FA Cup semi-final against Leeds at Wembley and, now at Anfield - albeit against another side struggling for form - his selection decisions were largely vindicated.

The return of centre-back Levi Colwill, making his first appearance for 10 months, coincided with Chelsea switching to a back three for just the third time this season.

Chelsea conceded from Liverpool's first shot of the match and briefly lost their way, but they recovered to equalise deservedly.

It was not a vintage performance, but it was an improvement and something to build on. The decision to focus attacks down the left through Marc Cucurella paid dividends, Cole Palmer showed signs of rediscovering form within the system, and it helped Chelsea manage an attacking injury crisis, with four wingers currently out.

Chelsea remain just about in the hunt for European football, though there is plenty of work to do in their remaining two Premier League matches.

More importantly, they now have something to cling to before the cup final, even if Pep Guardiola's Manchester City side remain strong favourites.