Team News and Tactical Setup
As anticipated, Chelsea will deploy a back three formation. Calum McFarlane has made two changes from last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Anfield: Robert Sanchez and Reece James replace Filip Jorgensen and Andrey Santos in the starting lineup.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has opted for Omar Marmoush over Rayan Cherki. City's designated goalkeeper James Trafford returns to the starting eleven. Phil Foden is named on the bench alongside Cherki, Ruben Dias, and Gianluigi Donnarumma. Rodri is fit and included in the squad, marking his return.
The FA Cup Final Starting Lineups
Chelsea (3-4-2-1): Sanchez; Fofana, Colwill, Hato; Gusto, James, Caicedo, Cucurella; Palmer, Enzo; Joao Pedro.
Substitutes: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Tosin, Chalobah, Essugo, Andrey Santos, Neto, Garnacho, Delap.
Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Trafford; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, O’Reilly; Bernardo, Rodri; Semenyo, Marmoush, Doku; Haaland.
Substitutes: Donnarumma, Dias, Reijnders, Stones, Ake, Kovacic, Cherki, Savinho, Foden.
Match Context and Tactical Insights
When Chelsea drew with Manchester City in the league in January, they dominated the second half after Calum McFarlane switched from a 4-2-3-1 to a 3-4-2-1 formation at halftime. This tactical adjustment suggests Chelsea may start with a back three again today.
Matt Dony’s email highlights the competitive nature of the fixture, noting the significant dominance City has shown historically in cup competitions.
“Is the score not something like 115-74 to City? The magic of the cup, eh?”
Krishnamoorthy V comments on the challenge Chelsea pose to City:
“Challenge to City. Show me your Conference League.”
The latest score update on the final day is Krishnamoorthy 1-0 Smyth.
The Scottish Premiership title race is also unfolding, with Celtic and Hearts drawing 1-1 after 50 minutes at Celtic Park. Celtic’s goal was a penalty, awarded without controversy. Simon Burnton is providing coverage of that match.
“One writes off Chelsea at their own peril,” says Krishnamoorthy V. “Show me one team that has won everything on offer. If a Hammersmith Over-70s Welfare Cup was announced tomorrow, Chelsea would nick that too.”
While Chelsea have a strong trophy record, City have also won nearly everything except the hypothetical Hammersmith Over-70s Welfare Cup.
Pep Guardiola’s Tenure and Future
Pep Guardiola has described his decade managing Manchester City as “effing fun” and suggested that Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea might not be his last appearance at Wembley with the club.
Although Guardiola’s contract runs until summer 2027, there is growing speculation about his departure at the end of the season. This final will mark City’s 24th cup appearance at the national stadium under Guardiola, who aims to secure his 17th major trophy in ten years.
* He may not have actually said ‘effing’ *
Injury Updates and Squad Selection
Team news is expected by 2pm. Chelsea are likely to start Levi Colwill, who returned from a long-term injury during the recent match at Anfield. For City, key questions remain on Rodri’s fitness and whether Phil Foden’s recent performances merit a starting role.
Calum McFarlane’s Rise and Background
Calum McFarlane’s rapid ascent in football management is notable. Six years ago, he and his assistants Harry Hudson and Dan Hogan worked for the Kinetic Foundation, a south London charity providing football and education to disadvantaged children. Now, they lead Chelsea into the FA Cup final against Manchester City.
There have been allegations of cronyism due to their connections with Joe Shields, Chelsea’s co-head of recruitment, dating back to their time at Kinetic. However, James Fotheringham, Kinetic’s co-founder, dismisses these claims.
“The narrative is of people being given an unfair opportunity,” he says regarding the backlash and abusive messages on Kinetic’s social media since McFarlane’s appointment as Chelsea’s interim manager for the second time this season. “Calum did the hard yards at City, Southampton and Chelsea and has got seasons under his belt to get to that position. I think if anyone gets thrown into a six-game environment, you bring someone who you’ve been on the touchline with for 300 games and who knows how you work … That’s the truth of the situation Calum’s in.”
Marc Guéhi’s FA Cup Journey
Marc Guéhi’s past twelve months in the FA Cup have been eventful. He played at Wembley last season, experienced an upset when Crystal Palace were eliminated by sixth-tier Macclesfield in the third round, and now aims to win the trophy again as Chelsea face Manchester City.
Guéhi joined City just nine days after Palace’s elimination and reflects on his unpredictable football career.
“I feel like my football life is crazy. There’s no consistency to it. It’s very unpredictable. And it’s fun, interesting. I’m glad to be given the opportunity to play in such a prestigious final again. And for this club, I know how much it means to them to win trophies.”
Chelsea’s Underdog Success and Tactical Challenges
Chelsea performed well as underdogs in their most recent final, racing to a 3-0 lead by halftime and disrupting the European champions through a clever tactical approach devised by Enzo Maresca.
There may be a similar approach at Wembley. Chelsea have a history of upsetting the odds in major games. However, the challenge of devising a plan to outsmart Pep Guardiola no longer falls on Maresca, who is now with Manchester City.
The situation presents an intriguing subplot: a potential clash between Maresca’s past with Chelsea and his future with City. Chelsea’s season began to unravel when their former head coach appeared to prepare for departure. Maresca’s infamous comment about Chelsea after their win over Everton in December still lingers at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s reaction will be noteworthy if Guardiola leaves at the end of the season and Maresca, the leading candidate to replace him, joins City.
Historic Rivalry and FA Cup Final Context
Today marks the first FA Cup final meeting between Chelsea and Manchester City. Although the clubs have faced each other in a Champions League final, a League Cup final, and the Full Members Cup final, they have never met on the FA Cup’s biggest stage.
This is surprising given the stature of both clubs and their recent FA Cup histories. Since 2000, Chelsea and City have contested 17 of the 26 FA Cup finals.
In recent years, Chelsea have been runners-up in three consecutive seasons from 2020 to 2022, a record they hope to avoid extending today. City, who won the FA Cup in 2023 en route to their historic treble, have lost the last two finals.
City enter as strong favourites and have a chance to secure a second domestic treble under Guardiola. Chelsea have not won a domestic trophy since their 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the 2018 FA Cup final.
However, Chelsea have won all three major European trophies, a UEFA Super Cup, and two Club World Cups since then, demonstrating their capacity to succeed on the international stage.
They remain unpredictable opponents who cannot be underestimated.
