Chelsea XI vs Man City: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injury latest for FA Cup final | OneFootball

Blues hope to be boosted by returning trio for Wembley showdown

Chelsea are expecting to be boosted by the return of three key players for the FA Cup final.

Calum McFarlane’s squad have been strengthened ahead of facing Manchester City at Wembley on Friday, after Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho returned to training.

The two wingers have missed both of Chelsea’s last two games, but are expected to be available in the Wembley showpiece.

Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez should also be able to start after missing the draw against Liverpool due to the cut to the head he sustained against Nottingham Forest a fortnight ago.

But Chelsea should have Neto, Garnacho and Sanchez back for the meeting with Pep Guardiola’s City side. That could see Filip Jorgensen drop to the bench as Sanchez starts ahead of him between the sticks.

It is likely that McFarlane will start one of Neto or Garnacho as they are the club’s only fit wingers now they are back available.

That could see the 4-2-3-1 formation reinstated at Wembley, unless McFarlane wishes to stick with the 3-4-3 system that helped his injury-hit side grab a point at Anfield last weekend.

After Reece James made his long-awaited return from injury off the bench at Anfield, he could make his first start in two months.

Levi Colwill had missed the entirety of the season, due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained last summer, before making a substitute appearance against Forest, and then started against Liverpool and could get the nod again.

Chelsea predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Lavia, Caicedo; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Joao Pedro