Chelsea are just over two weeks away from their biggest game of the season.
After beating Leeds United in the semi finals, the Blues will play Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley on May 16, and it's a massive fixture; one with even more on the line than just England's oldest trophy.
With the exception of the final, this season has been a disaster for Chelsea.
Not only was Liam Rosenior's appointment a huge mistake, but flatlining in the league has seen the side's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League slip away. There has been virtually nothing for fans to cheer about.
Consequently, their only chance of salvaging the campaign rests on lifting the FA Cup next month, but a worrying trend, spanning half a decade, sadly points to defeat.
Chelsea haven't beaten Manchester City since 2021 Champions League final
Beating Manchester City is never easy, but for Chelsea, the Citizens have been a thorn in their side for the past five years.
Thomas Tuchel guided Chelsea to the 2021 Champions League after they beat Pep Guardiola's Blue Moon 1-0 in the final.
Although not a bad match to do it in, amazingly, that was the last time Chelsea claimed victory over the eight-time Premier League champions.
Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
Sept 25, 2021 | Premier League | 0-1 |
Jan 15, 2022 | Premier League | 1-0 |
Nov 9, 2022 | Carabao Cup | 2-0 |
Jan 5, 2023 | Premier League | 0-1 |
Jan 8, 2023 | FA Cup | 4-0 |
21 May, 2023 | Premier League | 1-0 |
12 Nov, 2023 | Premier League | 4-4 |
17 Feb, 2024 | Premier League | 1-1 |
20 Apr, 2024 | FA Cup | 1-0 |
18 Aug, 2024 | Premier League | 0-2 |
25 Jan, 2025 | Premier League | 3-1 |
4 Jan, 2026 | Premier League | 1-1 |
12 Apr, 2026 | Premier League | 0-3 |
That's right, since the 2021 final, both teams have faced one another a total of 13 times, in all competitions, with Chelsea managing just three draws. The other fixtures all ended in defeat for the boy from West London.
Calum McFarlane must do what every Chelsea manager since Thomas Tuchel has failed to do
Calum McFarlane will lead the team until the end of the season. Although he is not expected to continue beyond this month with Andoni Iraola in contention to take charge next season, McFarlane will be in the Wembley dugout for the FA Cup final.
Somehow the Under-21's boss must find a way of overcoming the great Guardiola; something that very few have mastered in recent years.
And with Chelsea's horrendous head-to-head record hanging over his head, McFarlane will feel his back is against the wall and the odds very much stacked in the opposition's favour.
On the flip side though, should the relatively inexperienced 40-year-old do the impossible and guide Chelsea to their ninth FA Cup trophy, he will not only enter the conversation for a permanent role, but he'd have done what every manager since Tuchel has tried, and failed, to do.
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