FA Cup final: Five players key to Chelsea’s victory hopes against Man City at Wembley
With the FA Cup final around the corner, Callum Macfarlane’s Chelsea have the chance to win a trophy after a rather underwhelming season.
This season’s FA Cup will come to its final conclusion on Saturday, May 16, kicking off at 3pm under the arch of Wembley Stadium.
It will be extremely difficult against a very good Manchester City side, who are vying with Arsenal for the Premier League title.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Dejan Johal looks at five Chelsea players who may hold the key to Chelsea winning the cup.
Joao Pedro - Brazil
Starting off with the man who many Chelsea fans feel has been the Blues’ Player of the Season.
Despite many Chelsea players struggling to find form, Brazilian forward Joao Pedro has really shone and emerged as one of the top forwards in the league this season.
Twenty goals with no penalties, six assists and three penalties won, as well as showing eye-catching flair and quality.
Along with the goals, the Brazilian has also stepped up in big moments since his arrival from Brighton, such as his key contributions in Chelsea’s Club World Cup triumph, as well as his two goals away in Naples to drag Chelsea into the top eight of the Champions League.
He has proven to be a real difference maker for them this season. However, the fans will need him desperately to do it one more time at Wembley in the final.
Cole Palmer - England
Now I’m sure many Chelsea fans, as well as Cole Palmer, know that this has been a very tough season for him.
However, everyone knows he is still a threat and a player to always watch out for.
He has been in and out of the squad with injuries, struggled for consistency and form, and only managed ten goals in all competitions this season so far.
Despite the rough form, Chelsea still know the threat that he possesses, and will be desperate to see the real Cole Palmer show up in the FA Cup final and run the show.
It won’t be easy considering his form and the quality of opposition. However, if Chelsea are to win, they will need to see him step up and shine.
Levi Colwill - England
The English central defender has had horrendous luck this season, being injured for pretty much all of it.
After having a stellar Club World Cup and looking ready to take the next steps as a player, Colwill suffered an ACL injury, which saw him out since the beginning of the season.
The Chelsea squad have suffered in the absence of their best central defender.
However, he returned at Anfield for the first time and put in a great performance as Chelsea drew with Liverpool.
Now that he is back, it is important that they manage him correctly. However, it is also crucial that he shows his quality in this FA Cup final against a brilliant attacking side.
Enzo Fernandez
It has been an interesting season both on and off the field for the World Cup winner. But it is tough to ignore the importance of Enzo Fernandez on the field this season.
20 goal contributions this season, and now a player attracting interest from top European clubs.
Chelsea will be desperate to keep him, with the team surely not making the Champions League, so that will now be difficult.
On the other hand, if the club wins this FA Cup, that could go a long way in keeping him for next season.
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Moises Caicedo
And finally, we end with Chelsea’s Player of the Season in the previous 2024/25 season.
In the last two years, Moises Caicedo has developed and become one of the world's best defensive midfielders.
He has played so much football over the last three seasons, and it has shown as he has struggled for consistency by his high standards recently, having looked completely burnt out.
Despite this, he has still put in some incredible performances this season and been a real shield for the Blues’ struggling backline.
They will need the Ecuadorian to put another big shift in if the club wants to win this FA Cup trophy.
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