Chelsea interim manager Calum McFarlane has outlined what his side needs to overcome Manchester City in the FA Cup final, scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Wembley Stadium.
The Blues are determined to lift the trophy and finish their season on a positive note after a disappointing second half of the campaign derailed the progress made under Enzo Maresca. Manchester City, meanwhile, are chasing the Premier League title and already have the Carabao Cup in their cabinet following a 2-0 victory over Arsenal.
McFarlane's Message to the Squad
McFarlane, who took charge on an interim basis, is eager to leave a lasting impression by winning the FA Cup before his temporary stint ends. Despite Chelsea being considered underdogs on paper, the manager is confident they can spring a surprise.
“The players have got the belief they can beat anyone – we just know that we have to be the best version of ourselves,” McFarlane told Chelsea TV. “Manchester City are an exceptional side with an exceptional coach and exceptional players, so it’s going to be a challenge. But we also have really good players, and these players have shown that if they're at their best, they can beat anyone.”
He added that the technical staff have managed the team's emotions well and are driving the squad to deliver a great performance and achieve results.
Chelsea's Road to Wembley
Chelsea began their FA Cup journey in the third round with a 5-1 thrashing of Charlton Athletic at The Valley, followed by a 4-0 away win over Hull City. They then defeated Wrexham 4-2 in the fifth round at the Racecourse Ground and secured a semi-final spot with a 7-0 demolition of Port Vale in the quarterfinals.
After Liam Rosenior was sacked before the semi-final against Leeds United, McFarlane took charge for his first match back and guided the Blues to victory, setting up the final clash with City.
According to Mancity.com, Manchester City have scored 21 goals en route to the final, overcoming Exeter City, Salford City, Newcastle United, Liverpool, and Southampton.
Guardiola's Warning
Legit.ng earlier reported that Pep Guardiola sent a message to Chelsea after his side's 3-0 win over Crystal Palace. The City boss lamented his team's congested schedule compared to Chelsea's but warned that his players would be ready and confident of victory.
