Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane is confident his side can upset the odds tomorrow and beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final – and end a couple of dismal runs in the process.
Chelsea have lost their last six domestic finals, three in the FA Cup and three in the EFL Cup, and have not lifted a trophy at Wembley since the win over Manchester United six years ago.
They also haven’t beaten City since the 2021 Champions League final, a run of 13 games.
The odds are stacked against Chelsea tomorrow but McFarlane says his players are ready to cause a cup shock.
He said: “They have got the belief they can beat anyone. We just know that we have to be the best version of ourselves. They [City] are an exceptional side with an exceptional coach and exceptional players, so they’re going to be a challenge, but we also have some really good players, and these players have shown that if they’re at their best, they can beat anyone.”
It has been a turbulent season at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea came into the 2025/26 campaign as world champions and with genuine ambitions of challenging for the league title.
Nine months on, both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior have been sacked, McFarlane has been brought in on a temporary basis and the club are ninth having not won in the Premier League since early March.
Despite all the upheaval, the 40-year-old has been pleased with how the squad have reacted to his methods.
“I’ve actually been happy with the way the whole group’s responded,” he added. “Players in the squad, players out the squad, the level of professionalism that has been shown at all times.
“There’s obviously players with great experience in there that have played in big competitions and had big moments in their career; you want their opinion, you want how they feel about the game, you want to have that dialogue with those players. I have that with pretty much the whole squad.”
If Chelsea are to win tomorrow then it is likely Cole Palmer will have to shrug off his poor recent form.
The former City playmaker has struggled with injuries but his stats have dropped off alarmingly from the first half of the season. He has not scored or had an assist since netting in the 4-1 win at Aston Villa – Chelsea’s last victory – and appears to have lost his creative spark.
McFarlane said of the England World Cup hopeful: ”I think he’s had some really good games for us this year. He’s had a lot of injuries that he’s had to deal with. I was really pleased with Cole on Saturday [against Liverpool].
“I thought he had moments where he showed his level and his quality. So really hopeful that Cole can produce that from now to the end of the season. He’s a top player, and he’s proved that many times.”
City are still in with a chance of claiming the double, although that now depends on Premier League leaders Arsenal dropping points against Burnley or Crystal Palace.
Pep Guardiola’s side beat Palace 3-0 on Wednesday night to keep the pressure on the Gunners with Phil Foden playing a key role with two assists.
Unlike Palmer, Foden’s form is improving just a couple of weeks before Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel names his squad for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Guardiola was full of praise for the City academy product after the Palace game.
He said: “These types of games, the quality makes the difference and Phil is full of it in his body. I am beyond happy and satisfied.
“It has to be a big role [for him] in the future. We want the best for Phil and Phil has to deliver what he has done for many, many years. He felt how people loved him, the standing ovation from the fans. People want him to be happy.”
Team news for Chelsea v Manchester City
Reece James has trained well this week after making his comeback at Anfield last Saturday, as has Levi Colwill.
Robert Sanchez, Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho are also available after injury but Jamie Gittens and Estevao remain sidelined.
Guardiola rotated his squad for the Palace game with the likes of Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku left out of the starting XI but all three will return at Wembley. Cup goalkeeper James Trafford will play but Rodri remains a major doubt.
