Chelsea can 'compete with the best in Europe' but need 'best version' in Emirates FA Cup final against Manchester City - Calum McFarlane

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Chelsea are capable of mixing it with Europe's elite, says interim manager Calum McFarlane, but will need to find their best level to overcome Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

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The Blues have endured a forgettable Premier League campaign and sit ninth in the standings with two games remaining.

But they have the chance to secure UEFA Europa League football next season if they lift the trophy at Wembley – the final is live on TNT Sports and HBO Max on Saturday at 3pm UK time.

McFarlane was promoted from the Under-21s on an interim basis briefly in January following the departure of Enzo Maresca and led Chelsea to a 1-1 draw against City at the Etihad Stadium.

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He was subsequently handed the job until the end of the season when Maresca’s successor, Liam Rosenior, was dismissed in April, and believes the experience of already getting a result against Pep Guardiola’s powerhouses could be helpful come Saturday.

”You always look back. You look back at that game, at all of City’s games over the season and try and find things you think you might be able to exploit or expose,” McFarlane told TNT Sports.

”Everything went against us that week – change of manager, players pulling out with illness and injuries, suspensions – so it was backs to the wall and I thought they showed great character in that second half.

”This team has shown they can compete with the best teams in Europe over the last two years and we have to try and replicate that level of performance and get the best version of this group on the day.”

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Last summer, Chelsea celebrated winning the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States shortly after lifting the UEFA Conference League trophy and sealing a top-four Premier League finish, but the 2025/26 campaign has failed to deliver on that promise.

An underwhelming league campaign was coupled with an 8-2 last 16 UEFA Champions League thrashing by Paris Saint-Germain and defeat to Arsenal in the semi-finals of the EFL Cup.

That leaves Saturday’s Wembley showdown as Chelsea’s last chance of salvaging something from the season.

”It’s really important. [The fans] are as disappointed and frustrated as we are with how the league campaign has gone,” McFarlane said.

”We know we haven’t been consistent enough or performed at the level we should and we can go a little way to amending that on Saturday by winning the cup, winning silverware and getting into Europe.

”We’re going to do everything we can for the fans to give them that moment.”

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McFarlane's pride in ‘unique journey’

History now awaits for McFarlane, who finds himself in an unexpected position that continues his remarkable career path.

The 40-year-old began his coaching career with non-league sides Croydon and Whyteleafe before moving into academy roles at Man City and Southampton.

He joined Chelsea last summer to take over as Under-21s boss but has unexpectedly found himself thrust into the spotlight after a tumultuous season in the Stamford Bridge dugout.

The departure of Maresca and Rosenior mean it will be up to McFarlane to try and mastermind Chelsea’s ninth FA Cup win and their first since 2018 in a first-ever final meeting between the sides in the competition.

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Asked if he ever expected to find himself in this position, McFarlane said: ”Of course not. Taking the Under-21s, you’re hoping you can get to a UEFA Youth League final or a Premier League 2 final, or whatever it may be.

”It’s a unique journey and I’m proud of the journey to get to this point, even if it came [in a way] you wouldn’t expect it to come. I’m in interim charge to support the club and support the players, but I’m really proud of my journey and every club I’ve worked for.”

When is Manchester City v Chelsea?

The Emirates FA Cup final between Manchester City and Chelsea will kick off at 15:00 UK time on Saturday, May 16 at Wembley Stadium.

How to watch Manchester City v Chelsea?

The match will be live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

Kick off is at 15:00 but pre-match coverage will get underway on TNT Sports and HBO Max at 09:00 UK time with a special Breakfast Show, which can also be broadcast live on talkSPORT for the first hour.

From 11:00 to 13:00, TNT Sports will then start building towards kick-off with appearances from legends and fans of the two clubs, before Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole dive into the tactical match-up.

Then, from 13:00 on TNT Sports 1, the match build-up begins with host Laura Woods joined by the likes of Gerrard, Cole and Joe Hart.

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