Chelsea: The FA Cup Connoisseurs

From Peter Osgood, to Didier Drogba. Dave Sexton, to Jose Mourinho. Many of the Chelsea greats have lifted the famous FA Cup, and since beating Leeds United at Wembley back in 1970, we have gone on to win it six more times, with just three teams amassing more wins in its history.

After winning the last FA Cup final at the original Wembley, we have taken the trophy four out of the six seasons it has been held at the new Wembley stadium, becoming somewhat specialists in the competition during the 21^st century, with 5 wins and 6 finals so far, in just 12 years.

We have a chance to make it seven finals come Sunday, as we face the blue of Manchester in what is certainly the pick of the two Semi-Finals, with the winner widely expected to lift the trophy in May, and you’ll certainly want to Buy Tickets for the FA’s grand, annual occasion.

Whoever does progress will certainly not be under-estimating either Wigan or Millwall in the final, despite the fact the last real shock came in 1995, where Everton defeated Manchester United 1-0.

Rafa Benitez is far from the most popular man to have ever walked us out at Wembley, but both he and 30,000 in Chelsea blue will hopefully put differences aside as we bid to end our torrid season on a high, with still two competitions to play for, you can bet that we will be giving it everything on Sunday afternoon.

Didier Drogba installed himself as the FA Cup hero over the last six years, scoring a decisive goal in all four of our FA Cup finals, and without him at the forefront, a new leader will have to take centre-stage, whether that be Demba Ba, Eden Hazard or Oscar, all of whom will be trying themselves in this competition for the first time in Chelsea colours.

Few will have to be reminded of our annihilation of Spurs at this stage last season; winning 5-1 in an enthralling encounter which saw Mata, Ramires, and Lampard get on the score sheet. All three will have the chance to do so again this weekend, but facing a midfield including David Silva and Yaya Toure, will no doubt be a tougher prospect.

Manchester City themselves have had a troubled season, after falling way behind on the title race, and suffering a similar European campaign to ours,  the stakes are even higher than usual for this clash, probably rendering it more intense than the final will be itself.

Only a few players will go down in the history books as heroes at Chelsea, but if there is any place to announce yourself as one, it is on the hallowed Wembley turf in the FA Cup. With our extraordinary record over the last few years, a sense of expectation envelopes the club on cup-day, and after knocking-out the Red Devils in the previous round, that expectation will grow again this weekend.

With a vital place in the final at stake, the big questions are; Can we keep our impeccable record? Who will be our Cup hero? If we go through, will you Buy FA Cup Final Tickets? And, will you be there to see it on Sunday?

Chelsea vs Manchester City kicks off at 16:00GMT on Sunday, at Wembley Stadium.

By Brad Smith
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