{"id":9177,"date":"2026-05-16T16:14:24","date_gmt":"2026-05-16T16:14:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=9177"},"modified":"2026-05-16T16:14:24","modified_gmt":"2026-05-16T16:14:24","slug":"eight-players-could-miss-chelsea-vs-man-city-fa-cup-final-as-injured-stars-named","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=9177","title":{"rendered":"Eight players could miss Chelsea vs Man City FA Cup final as injured stars named"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_01dda3\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Chelsea face Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday afternoon, and here is the latest team news and injury updates for both sides ahead of the showdown<\/h2>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33957764\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Pedro Neto sat out Chelsea's last two Premier League outings, but the club are optimistic he will be fit to feature\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33957764.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Chelsea-v-Leeds-United-Emirates-FA-Cup-Semi-Final.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33957764.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_Chelsea-v-Leeds-United-Emirates-FA-Cup-Semi-Final.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33957764.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_Chelsea-v-Leeds-United-Emirates-FA-Cup-Semi-Final.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33957764.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Chelsea-v-Leeds-United-Emirates-FA-Cup-Semi-Final.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Pedro Neto sat out Chelsea's last two Premier League outings, but the club are optimistic he will be fit to feature\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Pedro Neto sat out Chelsea&#8217;s last two Premier League outings, but the club are optimistic he will be fit to feature<cite aria-label=\"Image: CameraSport via Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Chelsea appear to have no fresh injury concerns going into Saturday&#8217;s FA Cup final against Manchester City.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Calum McFarlane&#8217;s are looking to become the first Blues side to beat Pep Guardiola&#8217;s team since the 2021 Champions League final &#8211; but should they do it, the 38-year-old will become the most inexperienced coach to ever win the Football Association&#8217;s showpiece.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">McFarlane is definitely without <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Mykhailo Mudryk <\/strong>for the match as his anti-doping suspension continues.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Pedro Neto<\/strong> sat out Chelsea&#8217;s last two Premier League outings, but the club are optimistic he will be fit to feature this weekend. Former Manchester United winger <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Alejandro Garnacho<\/strong> also missed the Nottingham Forest and Liverpool matches, though McFarlane has expressed satisfaction with his recovery progress.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Goalkeeper<strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"> Robert Sanchez<\/strong> sustained a head injury in the defeat to Forest and was absent last weekend. McFarlane insisted the keeper had trained well during the week but stopped short of revealing whether he would start at Wembley.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Young prospect <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Jesse Derry<\/strong> suffered a serious head injury in that same fixture and has been ruled out for the rest of the season. In April, <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Estevao<\/strong> sustained a hamstring injury that will rule him out heading into the summer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Similarly, <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Jamie Gittens<\/strong> has been absent since the beginning of the year, with Chelsea confirming in April that he picked up a hamstring injury during a training session.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">FOLLOW OUR CHELSEA FB PAGE!<\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"> <\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><u>Latest Blues news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page<\/u><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Manchester City head to Wembley Stadium this weekend riding a wave of momentum. While all eyes are on the FA Cup final, City will have been lifted by their commanding 3-0 triumph over Crystal Palace on Wednesday evening. That result narrowed the gap to Arsenal to just two points and ensured a buoyant atmosphere ahead of the showdown with Chelsea.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">As for City, their squad appears considerably healthier. Pep Guardiola confirmed in his press conference that <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Rodri<\/strong> remains a doubt and will be assessed between now and kick-off.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Aside from that, Guardiola has a fully fit squad at his disposal. This includes Josko Gvardiol, who came through Wednesday night&#8217;s match unscathed.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-33907927\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33907927\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Cole Palmer during a Chelsea match\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33907927.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Cole-Palmer.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33907927.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Cole-Palmer.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33907927.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Cole-Palmer.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33907927.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Cole-Palmer.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Cole Palmer will be hoping to get one over on his former club.\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Cole Palmer will be hoping to get one over on his former club.<cite aria-label=\"Image: Izzy Poles - AMA\/Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Izzy Poles &#8211; AMA\/Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Nico Gonzalez was absent from the bench against Palace, though Guardiola confirmed midweek that he was not carrying an injury.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">With one piece of domestic silverware already added to the cabinet, in the form of the Carabao Cup, Saturday poses as a fresh opportunity for City to add to the glut of trophies won by the Catalan tactician.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The encounter under the arch comes amid fresh speculation surrounding Guardiola&#8217;s future at the Etihad Stadium following reports that he could end his tenure this summer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He said: &#8220;Yeah. Of course, 19 titles in 10 years is not bad. They don\u2019t need to wait when I\u2019m leaving, they know I\u2019ve been fun. I\u2019ve been fucking fun. So, 19 titles, fighting for 20 in 10 years, it\u2019s not bad, honestly.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;No way. No way. I have a one year (left on my) contract,\u201d he said on a potential departure. \u201cI\u2019m so disappointed that they don\u2019t make a stand for Pep (at Wembley), the number of times I\u2019ve been there \u2013 at least a lounge or a box. Maybe I go 24 more times.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s been a special place, with Barcelona in 1992 (winning the European Cup as a player) and after against Manchester United with Barcelona (winning the Champions League as head coach in 2011) for the second time and many times since I am here with semi-finals and finals. It\u2019s really good to go to Wembley again. Top.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContentsEmbed_affiliate-contents-container__oTiet\" data-testid=\"affiliate-contents-embed\">\n<div data-testid=\"affiliate-content\" class=\"AffiliateContent_affiliate-content-container__10EX_ affiliate-content\">\n<p>Watch the FA Cup on TNT Sports<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-disclaimer__dG5ST\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-text__8nmDa\">This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM AffiliateContent_content-details__U6C2M AffiliateContent_has-content-img___LY95\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-image__FxPNL\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Content Image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article30988165.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s510b\/0_TNT-Sportsjfif.jpg\"\/><\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-price-details__OpMC_\">\n<p>\u00a330.99<\/p>\n<p>TNT Sports<\/p>\n<p>Get TNT Sports here<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM\">\n<div id=\"product-description\" class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">TNT Sports broadcasts select FA Cup fixtures and fans can tune in on the TNT Sports Prime Video channel. <!-- -->A monthly subscription also includes select Champions League, Europa League and Premier League games.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chelsea face Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday afternoon, and&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9178,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9177","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\/9177","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=9177"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9177\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9178"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9177"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9177"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9177"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}