Would FA Cup win paper over the cracks for Chelsea?

Breaking news from the world of sport: Would FA Cup win paper over the cracks for Chelsea? Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Chelsea have won eight and lost eight of their FA Cup final appearances so far, losing their past three in a rowByNizaar Kinsella Football reporterPublished8 minutes agoChelsea go into the FA Cup final in the unusual position of having no permanent manager, an angry fanbase and a lingering question: would beating Manchester City at Wembley be enough to save their season? Lifting silverware would undoubtedly delight supporters, but concerns over a troubled campaign and anger towards the Clearlake-Boehly ownership group will likely persist.

A draw at Liverpool last weekend prevented Chelsea from becoming the first team to lose seven consecutive league matches before an FA Cup final. However, it did little to alter their Premier League fortunes. They remain ninth in the table and their pre-season target of Champions League qualification is all but gone.

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Qualification for any European competition remains in serious doubt, but victory on Saturday would at least secure a place in the second-tier Europa League - a result that would be welcomed by both players and the club's hierarchy. It remains a worrying picture for Chelsea, who are operating under strict Uefa financial controls following a settlement last year that limits their spending, as they search for a new head coach. Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola, Fulham's Marco Silva and former Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso are understood to be among the options on the club's shortlist.

Chelsea sources insist the race is open but, externally, Alonso is seen as the favoured candidate. Former head coach Enzo Maresca left after a falling out with the hierarchy on New Year's Day, with many believing he has been lined up to succeed Pep Guardiola at City should he depart. Maresca's replacement, Liam Rosenior, was hired from partner club Strasbourg but lasted less than four months.

Interim head coach Calum McFarlane is the first Englishman to lead a team into an FA Cup final since Frank Lampard did so with Chelsea in 2020. McFarlane earned a point in a 1-1 draw at Etihad Stadium in January in his first experience of leading a senior side, but Guardiola's team remain firm favourites. A win on Saturday would not only deliver Chelsea their first domestic trophy since 2018, but, even amid any celebration, would be unlikely to quell supporter anger at Stamford Bridge.

FA Cup finalChelsea v Manchester CitySaturday, 16 May at 15:00 BSTWembley Stadium Watch on iPlayer Listen on SoundsWatch live on One and iPlayer (build-up from 13:15 BST) and listen to full match commentary on Radio 5 Live and Sounds. Follow live text commentary plus TV and radio coverage on the Sport website and app. Protests and decline are setting inImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Fans have protested against BlueCo this seasonNot A Project CFC, a growing protest movement, has announced a march up Wembley Way at 13:30 BST before the match.

The story has climbed to the top of the sports agenda, with fans and analysts following closely.