FA Cup 2025-2026: Chelsea-Manchester City, the likely lineups
At 4 p.m., the spotlight at the legendary Wembley temple will turn on the FA Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester City. For the Blues, ninety minutes will be worth not only the world’s oldest trophy, but the last lifeboat for a year that began with success in last summer’s Club World Cup but then proved unsuccessful.
The numbers, moreover, photograph a ruthless crisis: an anonymous ninth place in the league and a fasting of victories that has been tormenting the Londoners for more than two months (the last treble dates back to the 4-1 win against Aston Villa last March 4). A disastrous season, the child of total chaos on the bench (with the technical relay passed from Maresca to Rosenior, up to the current McFarlane management) of questionable corporate choices and a squad with undoubted talent but still too young and lacking charismatic leaders. Yet, the magic of the FA Cup offers Chelsea a chance to redeem everything in one fell swoop. Facing them will be the toughest obstacle, Manchester City, but up for grabs is a double, resounding stake: the glory of a historic cup and a direct pass to the next Europa League.
On the other side will be a Manchester City in excellent form, awaiting the most delicate examination of its season. If for Chelsea this final represents the last resort, for the Citizens it is a crucial crossroads that can direct the end of the year. Pep Guardiola’s men are having an excellent season, but the Premier League obsession is more alive than ever: second in the standings at minus two from leading Arsenal, with only two days to go, the defending champions cannot afford any missteps, not even mental ones. Led by a stellar squad that combines the experience of its senators with the cynicism of its star players, the Citizens are looking at Wembley for the spark to unlock themselves. Lifting the FA Cup this afternoon would not only mean clinching the world’s oldest trophy (which has been missing since the 2022-2023 season), but boosting their confidence and sending a steely signal to the Gunners ahead of the final title sprint.
Young ferryman Calum McFarlane is without Estevao due to a flexor injury that will also force him to miss the upcoming World Cup with Brazil. Sanchez will act between the posts, a four-man defense with Chalobah and Colwill manning the penalty area with James and Cucurella on either side of them, Caicedo in the midfield, a three-quarter formed by Pedro Neto and Palmer wide with Enzo Fernandez ready to slot in centrally. Sole forward Joao Pedro, one of the few in decent form.
Pep Guardiola will rely on Donnarumma between the posts, Guehi and Khusanov as central defenders; with Rodri still out due to a groin injury, Bernardo Silva and Nico Gonzalez will act in the middle of the field, Reijnders in the three-quarter with Semenyo and Doku wide on the flanks to support the only forward who will be Erling Haaland.
Probable formations
CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Lavia, Caicedo; Palmer, Enzo Fernandez, Neto; Joao Pedro. All. McFarlane.
MANCHESTER CITY (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Guéhi, Khusanov, O’Reilly; Bernardo Silva, Nico Gonzalez, Reijnders; Semenyo, Haaland, Doku. All. Guardiola.
