LONDON — As Chelsea and Manchester City prepare to clash at Wembley Stadium in the FA Cup final, both clubs have confirmed significant absences that will shape Saturday’s showpiece encounter.
While Chelsea enter the match without fresh injury concerns, a combination of long-term issues, recent setbacks, and one high-profile suspension has left manager Calum McFarlane missing several key players. Manchester City, riding high after a 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace, also face questions over at least one pivotal squad member.
Chelsea’s depleted ranks
The Blues will definitely be without the following players for the final:
- Mykhailo Mudryk remains unavailable as his anti-doping suspension continues.
- Jesse Derry, a young prospect, suffered a serious head injury against Nottingham Forest and has been ruled out for the remainder of the season.
- Estevao has been sidelined since picking up a hamstring injury in April and will miss the remainder of the campaign heading into the summer.
- Jamie Gittens has been absent since the beginning of the year after sustaining a hamstring injury in training, with Chelsea confirming his ongoing recovery in April.
Additional concerns surround Pedro Neto, who missed Chelsea’s last two Premier League matches but for whom the club remains optimistic of a return this weekend. Former Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho also sat out recent fixtures, though McFarlane has expressed satisfaction with his recovery progress. Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez sustained a head injury in the Forest defeat; while he trained well during the week, his starting availability remains uncertain.
These absences test the depth of McFarlane’s squad as he bids to become the first Chelsea side to defeat Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City since the 2021 Champions League final. Should he succeed, the 38-year-old would also etch his name into the record books as the most inexperienced coach ever to lift the FA Cup.
City’s squad status
Manchester City head to Wembley in buoyant mood, bolstered by their midweek league success that narrowed the gap to Arsenal to just two points. Overall, Pep Guardiola has a considerably healthy squad at his disposal, with Josko Gvardiol emerging unscathed from the Palace match.
However, Rodri remains a doubt and will be assessed in the final hours before kick-off. Midfielder Nico Gonzalez was absent from the bench against Crystal Palace, but Guardiola confirmed he was not carrying an injury.
Context and stakes
The final carries added layers of narrative. Cole Palmer will face his former club, while speculation continues to swirl around Guardiola’s long-term future at the Etihad despite his extraordinary record — 19 titles in 10 years — and one year remaining on his contract. The Catalan tactician spoke warmly of his history at Wembley, from triumphs with Barcelona to multiple visits with City.
For Chelsea, this represents a chance to claim silverware and disrupt City’s dominance. For Guardiola’s side, another domestic trophy would further pad an already glittering era and provide momentum as the Premier League title race reaches its climax.
With the injury list now public, both sets of supporters and neutrals alike will be watching closely to see how the respective managers adapt their tactics and line-ups under the iconic Wembley arch.