Chelsea head to Wembley this Saturday with a chance to turn a turbulent season into a memorable one. After a string of near-misses, the Blues are desperate to end their streak of four straight FA Cup final defeats and bring silverware back to Stamford Bridge.
Interim boss Calum McFarlane faces some tough selection calls ahead of the clash with Manchester City. The stakes couldn't be higher: a win would not only secure the trophy but also guarantee Europa League football next season—a vital lifeline given their current ninth-place standing in the Premier League.
There's renewed optimism in the camp after a positive result at Liverpool, and McFarlane has been putting the squad through their paces at Cobham this week. The biggest boost comes from the return of key defenders Reece James and Levi Colwill. James made his first appearance in two months off the bench at Anfield, while Colwill completed a full 90 minutes after nearly a year sidelined.
Up front, the news is equally promising. Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto are back in training, giving McFarlane his only fit natural wingers for the final. Garnacho, who scored against City in the 2024 final while at Manchester United, could make history if he finds the net again on Saturday.
Robert Sanchez is expected to reclaim the starting goalkeeper spot after recovering from a head injury sustained against Nottingham Forest, meaning Filip Jorgensen will likely drop to the bench despite a solid run of form. In midfield, all eyes will be on Enzo Fernández, the creative hub who has been involved in six goals across nine FA Cup appearances. If he scores, he'll become the first Blue since 2012 to net in both the semi-final and final of the competition.
McFarlane must also decide whether to stick with the three-man defensive system that worked so well at Liverpool. Chelsea have been prolific in the FA Cup this season, netting 21 goals—matching their tally from the 2006-07 campaign. Only the legendary 1969-70 squad has scored more in a single FA Cup season. However, the Blues have failed to find the net in their last four Wembley finals, a statistic they'll be eager to change.
As clear underdogs against a dominant City side, Chelsea will need to dig deep. But with a blend of returning stars and a hunger to rewrite recent history, this final could be the turning point they've been waiting for.
Chelsea predicted XI: Sanchez; James, Colwill, Badiashile; Gusto, Caicedo, Fernández, Cucurella; Garnacho, Neto; Jackson.