Overview
Both experienced coaches and new coaches have not been able to explain the BlueCo formula at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea's leadership has decided to replace Enzo Maresca with Liam Rosenior - who is considered to be more adaptable and used to the operating style of the owners since he worked in Strasbourg.
However, after a series of disastrous performances with 7 defeats in 8 matches in all competitions - including 6 consecutive matches without scoring a goal - Rosenior was sacked after only 3 months of a 6-year contract. This decision continued to cause Chelsea's leadership to receive much criticism, and also led to a large compensation.
Chelsea's official announcement about sacking Rosenior also attracted attention when the team said it would enter a self-assessment phase before choosing a long-term head coach. Andoni Iraola and Cesc Fabregas are currently potential candidates.
In the immediate future, Calum McFarlane continues to take on the role of interim coach - just like after Maresca left - with the goal of bringing Chelsea to the 17th FA Cup final, and for the first time since 2022.
The Blues' journey to the semi-finals is relatively favorable as they successively overcame Charlton Athletic, Hull City, Wrexham and Port Vale, scoring at least 4 goals per game - an unprecedented achievement in the history of the league.
However, their current form is a big problem. Chelsea have been goalless in the last 6 matches, making it difficult for them to be highly rated in the upcoming semi-finals.
In the opposite direction, Leeds United is showing stability with a 7-match unbeaten streak in all competitions. Daniel Farke's team is almost certain to stay in the league when creating a 9-point gap with Tottenham Hotspur and 7 points with West Ham United.
Leeds therefore entered the match at Wembley with great confidence, aiming to end 53 years of waiting to return to the FA Cup final since the 1972-1973 season.
They have successively overcome Derby County, Birmingham City, Norwich City and West Ham United in the 2025-2026 season. However, Leeds also does not have a good scoring record at Wembley, having been goalless in the last 3 matches.
The last person to score for Leeds at this stadium was Eric Cantona in the 1992 English Super Cup. However, with not losing to Chelsea in two Premier League encounters this season, the Farke army has every reason to believe in a positive result, even a ticket to the final.
Personnel situation
Calum McFarlane promptly brought two positive signals in the pre-match press conference, confirming that Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer have both returned to training and are ready for the semi-finals.
However, Estevao Willian will almost certainly have to be out for the rest of the season due to a hamstring injury. Besides, Reece James ( thigh), Filip Jorgensen (arms), Levi Colwill (knee/physical strength), Jamie Bynoe-Gittens ( thigh) and Mykhaylo Mudryk (suspended for doping) have also not been able to participate.
On the opposite side, Farke confirmed that Ilia Gruev will be out for the rest of the season due to a knee injury. However, this team can still receive three additions before the semi-finals.
Farke hopes Jayden Bogle will recover from his leg injury in the match against Bournemouth in the middle of the week. Meanwhile, Sebastiaan Bornauw and Anton Stach (both with ankle problems) have not yet been removed from the squad list.
Expected lineup:
Sanchez, Acheampong, Chalobah, Hato, Cucurella, Fernandez, Caicedo, Palmer, Pedro, Neto, Delap.
Leeds United: Perri, Struijk, Bijol, Rodon, Bogle, Ampadu, Tanaka, Gudmundsson, Aaronson, Okafor, Calvert-Lewin.
The match between Chelsea and Leeds United takes place at 9:00 PM on April 26 (Vietnam time).
