Farke expects Chelsea to be ´back to their best´ for FA Cup semi-final

Daniel Farke believes Chelsea will be “back to their best” when they face Leeds United in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final, despite Liam Rosenior’s sacking this week.

Chelsea dismissed Rosenior following their 3-0 Premier League defeat to Brighton on Tuesday, a result which stretched the Blues’ losing streak to five top-flight games, in which they have not scored a goal.

In fact, Chelsea’s only win in their last eight matches in all competitions came in the FA Cup quarter-final, when they thrashed League One Port Vale 7-0 to book a place at Wembley.

Calum McFarlane will take charge of the club until the end of the season, starting with the FA Cup clash, and Farke is wary that it could act as a reset for the players.

“When some top-class players are showing the basics and have no excuses, then it can be a really, really dangerous side,” Farke said. “For that, I expect a Chelsea side who will be back to their best.

“I expect a side who will try to prove that it’s a fresh start, and right now the burden has been lifted, and they want to show what they’re capable of.

“But we have shown also against the top sides that we’re capable of bringing a performance and to deliver a result. We are greedy also to be successful in this game.”

Leeds are unbeaten in both Premier League matches against Chelsea this season (W1 D1).

It is the seventh time the two sides have met three (or more) times in a season in all competitions, but the Whites have never previously avoided defeat in all three meetings in a season.

Wembley awaits… pic.twitter.com/NNUMFSvBlO

— Leeds United (@LUFC) April 23, 2026

Leeds, who beat West Ham on penalties in the last round, are into their first FA Cup semi-final since 1986-87, when they lost 3-2 to Coventry City under Billy Bremner, while the last time they reached the final was in 1972-73.

Trips to Wembley have not gone well for Leeds in their most recent trips, as they have lost their last three without scoring (1996 EFL Cup final, 2008 League One play-off final and 2024 Championship play-off final).

Leeds are given a 29.5% win probability by the Opta supercomputer this weekend – Chelsea come out on top in 45.1% of the simulations – but Farke has no qualms about being the underdog.

“We play a side which is packed with top-class players, with unbelievable potential,” Farke added.

“Chelsea have one of the most talented squads in world football, I would say. So many exciting players, exciting young players, who can develop.

“Of course, they are probably not happy with their recent results, but I think in this game, an FA Cup semi-final, it doesn’t play so much of a significant role what happens in the league.

“We are a bit the underdog anyhow, but also the underdog who has a chance.”