{"id":1455,"date":"2026-04-27T18:02:29","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T18:02:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=1455"},"modified":"2026-04-27T18:02:29","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T18:02:29","slug":"robert-sanchez-weighs-up-chelseas-chances-against-man-city-in-fa-cup-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=1455","title":{"rendered":"Robert Sanchez weighs up Chelsea&#8217;s chances against Man City in FA Cup final"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"post-365279\">\n<div class=\"article-follow\">\n<div class=\"article-sharing google-follow\">  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"28\" height=\"28\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/wp-content\/themes\/grv-media\/img\/google-discover.svg\" alt=\"\"\/> <span>Add as preferred source on Google<\/span>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Once again, Chelsea have made it to a final, and the chance of silverware is very alive. Robert Sanchez has now weighed up whether the Blues can go one step further and win the FA Cup. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s been a dismal season for Chelsea. One that has seen Calum McFarlane forced into taking caretaker charge on two separate occasions, with the hierarchy sacking both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-grvmedia-grv-video GRVMultiVideo\"\/>\n<p>Chelsea\u2019s chances of Champions League football are as good as over. With four Premier League games to play, the best the Blues can realistically hope for is a sixth-placed finish, possibly Champions League.<\/p>\n<section class=\"grv-talking-point\" data-trigger=\"vue-sidebar\" data-story-id=\"9a7c0191-1ed6-4737-96a1-a810b7ee60a2\" data-story-name=\"Chelsea vs Leeds United\" data-comment-id=\"63d3ad84-6f30-4618-afec-da32a0fb4fbc\" data-story-slug=\"chelsea-vs-leeds-united\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__inner\">\n<header class=\"grv-talking-point__header\">  <\/header>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__content\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__cta\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-wrap\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-content\">\n<h3 class=\"grv-talking-point__title\">Chelsea\u2019s player ratings v Leeds: Do YOU agree?<\/h3>\n<p class=\"grv-talking-point__subtitle\">Gusto and Sanchez excellent!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__embed\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/player-ratings-1-1-819x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-365243\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/player-ratings-1-1-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/player-ratings-1-1-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/player-ratings-1-1-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/player-ratings-1-1-912x1140.png 912w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/player-ratings-1-1-600x750.png 600w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/player-ratings-1-1.png 1080w\"\/><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>For that to happen, Chelsea would need to rely on Aston Villa winning the Europa League. But ultimately, Chelsea have endured a poor season, and the only saving grace would be lifting the FA Cup come May.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-robert-sanchez-thinks-beating-man-city-in-fa-cup-final-is-possible\">Robert Sanchez thinks beating Man City in FA Cup final is possible<\/h2>\n<p>Sunday saw Chelsea keep a clean sheet, having managed just four in 23 games under Rosenior. Robert Sanchez was superb on the day, keeping Leeds United at bay. The Chelsea Chronicle gave him a 9\/10.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-getty-images-media\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2272691476-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"FBL-ENG-FACUP-CHELSEA-LEEDS\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2272691476-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2272691476-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2272691476-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2272691476-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2272691476-1140x760.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2272691476-750x500.jpg 750w\"\/><\/div><figcaption title=\"Chelsea's Spanish goalkeeper #01 Robert Sanchez (L) and Chelsea's English interim coach Calum McFarlane (R) celebrate on the pitch after the English FA Cup semi final football match between Chelsea and Leeds United at Wembley stadium in London, on April 26, 2026. Chelsea won the game 1-0 (Photo by Ben STANSALL \/ AFP via Getty Images) \/ NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE \/ RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE\">Photo by Ben STANSALL \/ AFP via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Indeed, McFarlane described Sanchez as \u201cworld-class\u201d for his performance, which included two crucial saves to deny Brenden Aaronson and Anton Stach. But can Chelsea win it? Here is what Sanchez said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe know that now it\u2019s on us to perform well, to try to get to a final and win a final. If we perform like today, we know it\u2019s possible to do all that. The supporters were brilliant today,\u201d he told Chelsea\u2019s site.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-chelsea-s-record-against-man-city-and-mcfarlane-factor\">Chelsea\u2019s record against Man City and McFarlane factor<\/h2>\n<p>The stats do not read as optimistically as Sanchez sounds. In the last 13 meetings between the two sides in all competitions, Chelsea have failed to win. Indeed, Chelsea have only managed a draw three times.<\/p>\n<section class=\"grv-talking-point\" data-trigger=\"vue-sidebar\" data-story-id=\"9a7c0191-1ed6-4737-96a1-a810b7ee60a2\" data-story-name=\"Chelsea vs Leeds United\" data-comment-id=\"be3d1f48-9bb9-40d0-aac8-6bf687168de3\" data-story-slug=\"chelsea-vs-leeds-united\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__inner\">\n<header class=\"grv-talking-point__header\">  <\/header>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__content\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__cta\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-wrap\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-content\">\n<h3 class=\"grv-talking-point__title\">DISCUSS: Sanchez should be Chelsea\u2019s no.1 next season\u2026<\/h3>\n<p class=\"grv-talking-point__subtitle\">Calum McFarlane is a big fan.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__embed\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/TWO-LINE-quote-graphic-1-1-819x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-365275\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/TWO-LINE-quote-graphic-1-1-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/TWO-LINE-quote-graphic-1-1-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/TWO-LINE-quote-graphic-1-1-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/TWO-LINE-quote-graphic-1-1-912x1140.png 912w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/TWO-LINE-quote-graphic-1-1-600x750.png 600w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/TWO-LINE-quote-graphic-1-1.png 1080w\"\/><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>The last time Chelsea managed to beat Man City was the 2021 Champions League final, beating Pep Guardiola\u2019s side 1-0. So, for Chelsea to go to Wembley and beat Man City, would be a massive surprise.<\/p>\n<p>However, McFarlane is in the dugout. The win over Leeds was his first senior victory as Chelsea boss at the third attempt, but he did draw against City in the first of his previous two. That may count for something.<\/p>\n<p>If Chelsea are to beat Man City in the final next month, then they will certainly need some momentum. That means four solid results in their remaining Premier League games, starting with Forest next time out.<\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more-wrapper lazy see-more-open see-more-blank extra-content\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/match-coverage\/robert-sanchez-weighs-up-chelseas-chances-against-man-city-in-fa-cup-final\/none\" data-type=\"subscribe\">\n<div class=\"see-more subscribe\">\n<figure class=\"newsletter\">\n<div><svg class=\"loading\" width=\"118\" height=\"36\" viewbox=\"0 0 118 36\"><use href=\"#dots-svg\"\/><\/svg><\/p>\n<div class=\"signup\"><span class=\"hf\">Join Our Newsletter<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><script>grvLoadAnalytics = () => {(function(d,s,i){var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)(0),j=d.createElement(s);j.async=true;j.src=\"https:\/\/www.googletagmanager.com\/gtag\/js?id=\"+i;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(document,'script','G-E7VRWQHDP6');(function(d,s,i){if(!\/callback=in\/.test(window.location.search)){var e=d.createElement(s);var n=d.getElementsByTagName(s)(0);e.type=\"text\/javascript\";e.async=true;e.src=\"https:\/\/static.chartbeat.com\/js\/chartbeat.js\";n.parentNode.insertBefore(e,n);}})(document,\"script\",\"G-E7VRWQHDP6\");(function(){let s=document.createElement(\"script\");s.async=true;s.dataset.domain=\"thechelseachronicle.com\/MFj4XQ\";s.src=\"https:\/\/api.publytics.net\/js\/script.manual.ping.min.js\";document.getElementsByTagName(\"head\")(0).appendChild(s);})();if(!\/callback=in\/.test(window.location.search)){setTimeout(function(){!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=();t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)(0);s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window,document,'script','https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');fbq('init','663509325503632');fbq('track','PageView');fbq('track','ViewContent',{content_name:'Robert Sanchez weighs up Chelsea&#8217;s chances against Man City in FA Cup final',content_category:'Match Coverage',content_ids:(365279,\"robert-sanchez\"),content_type:'post',});},3000);}}<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Add as preferred source on Google Once again, Chelsea have made it to a final,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1456,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1455","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1455","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1455"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1455\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1456"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1455"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1455"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1455"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}