Chelsea’s interim head coach, Calum McFarlane, indicated that both Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto are expected to return for the FA Cup final against Manchester City next weekend. McFarlane made the comments during his post‑match interview following Chelsea’s 1‑1 draw with Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday.
When asked about the fitness of Garnacho and Neto, McFarlane said the club is “very hopeful” but stressed that the players’ availability will be assessed on a day‑by‑day basis. “We are hoping that they will be available, but we don’t know at this moment in time,” he explained. “They are going to get back into training, see how they feel, see how it looks. So, fingers crossed.”
Both forwards have missed recent matches with injuries that have limited McFarlane’s options in attack. Garnacho, who joined Chelsea in January 2024 from Manchester United, suffered a muscular strain during a league fixture in early March. Neto, the Portuguese winger signed from Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer of 2022, has been dealing with a lingering hamstring issue that kept him out of the squad for several weeks.
Chelsea, currently sitting in the middle of the Premier League table, will rely on the return of the two wingers for the FA Cup final, scheduled for next Saturday at Wembley Stadium. The club’s medical team will conduct final fitness assessments during training sessions later this week, after which McFarlane will confirm the lineup.
The FA Cup final against Manchester City represents a significant opportunity for Chelsea, who have not won the competition since 2012. A victory would also provide a morale boost ahead of the remaining Premier League fixtures, where the Blues are aiming to secure a top‑four finish and a place in next season’s Champions League.
Manchester City, meanwhile, will enter the final with a full squad, having completed a domestic double last season. Their manager, Pep Guillem Rodríguez, is expected to field a strong side, making the availability of Chelsea’s attacking options crucial to the match’s outcome.
In summary, while McFarlane remains optimistic about the return of Garnacho and Neto, final decisions will depend on the players’ progress in training over the next few days. Their participation could prove decisive in what promises to be a tightly contested FA Cup final.
