Chelsea and Manchester City have named their teams for this afternoon’s FA Cup final at Wembley, with both managers making major calls for the showpiece.
Pep Guardiola brings Rodri back into the Manchester City midfield, while Erling Haaland returns to lead the line after being rested in midweek. Omar Marmoush is also handed a start in attack, with Rayan Cherki left out of the XI.
For Chelsea, Robert Sanchez returns in goal after recovering from the head injury he sustained against Nottingham Forest. Captain Reece James is also fit to start and is expected to operate in midfield alongside Moises Caicedo.
Kick-off at Wembley is at 3pm BST.
Chelsea team news
Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane has gone with Sanchez in goal, with Malo Gusto, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana and Jorrel Hato forming the defensive line.
James starts in midfield, rather than at right-back, alongside Caicedo. That gives Chelsea physical strength, discipline and experience in an area where City usually try to control the rhythm of the match.
Further forward, Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez both start, while Marc Cucurella continues in an advanced left-sided role after impressing there at Anfield. Joao Pedro leads the line.
Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho are both fit enough for the bench, giving Chelsea pace and direct running if the game opens up late on.
Chelsea team: Sanchez; Gusto, Colwill, Fofana, Hato, James, Caicedo, Palmer, Fernandez, Cucurella, Joao Pedro
Subs: Jorgensen, Tosin, Neto, Delap, Essugo, Santos, Chalobah, Acheampong, Garnacho
Manchester City team news
The headline for Manchester City is Rodri’s return.
The midfielder had been a late fitness question, but Guardiola has brought him straight back into the side for the final. His presence should give City greater control in possession and more protection against Chelsea’s transitions.
James Trafford starts in goal, continuing his role as City’s domestic cup goalkeeper. Matheus Nunes, Marc Guehi, Abdukodir Khusanov and Nico O’Reilly make up the back line.
Bernardo Silva starts with Rodri in midfield, while Jeremy Doku, Omar Marmoush and Antoine Semenyo support Haaland in attack.
Marmoush starting ahead of Cherki is one of the bigger attacking calls. It suggests Guardiola wants more direct running and movement around Haaland, rather than another creative midfielder between the lines.
Manchester City team: Trafford; Nunes, Guehi, Khusanov, O’Reilly, Silva, Rodri, Doku, Marmoush, Semenyo, Haaland
Subs: Donnarumma, Dias, Reijnders, Stones, Ake, Kovacic, Cherki, Savinho, Foden
Rodri return gives City control
City’s team has a familiar Guardiola balance: one recognised striker, width from Doku, and Bernardo’s control in midfield.
Rodri’s return is the major boost. In finals, City often depend on their ability to slow games down, keep the ball under pressure and make opponents defend for long spells. Rodri gives them that structure.
Haaland’s return also changes the picture after his midweek rest. Chelsea’s centre-backs will need to manage his movement, but they will also have to deal with Marmoush and Doku attacking the spaces either side of him.
Chelsea’s shape could be flexible
Chelsea’s line-up points towards a flexible system.
Out of possession, it could become a back five, with Cucurella dropping deeper and James helping Caicedo screen the defence. In possession, Cucurella’s advanced role gives Chelsea a different outlet on the left, while Palmer and Fernandez can work between the lines.
The big question is whether Chelsea can get enough of the ball to make that attacking structure count. City will expect to dominate possession, so Chelsea’s best route may come from quick breaks, set-pieces and moments around Palmer.
What to expect
City start as favourites, but this is not a final without risk for Guardiola’s side.
Chelsea have enough individual quality to punish mistakes, and the return of James gives them leadership in a game where control and composure will matter. Sanchez’s return is also significant, with Chelsea needing a stable performance from their goalkeeper against a City attack built to stretch the pitch.
For City, the challenge is to turn possession into clear chances. With Rodri back, Haaland restored and Marmoush preferred to Cherki, Guardiola has gone for a side that looks powerful, direct and balanced.
Takeaway
City’s team news is shaped by Rodri’s return and Guardiola’s bold attacking call to start Marmoush. Chelsea’s key boosts are Sanchez and James, with McFarlane trusting a flexible side capable of defending deep and breaking quickly.
The line-ups point to a final of control against transitions, with City looking to dictate the game and Chelsea trying to disrupt their rhythm at Wembley.
Chelsea vs Manchester City in the FA Cup final kicks off at Wembley Stadium at 3pm BST on Saturday 16 May 2026.
