Chelsea fans’ preferred lineup against Manchester City: Who wants to win the Cup?

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JULY 13: Joao Pedro #20 of Chelsea FC celebrates scoring his team's third goal with Malo Gusto #27, Cole Palmer #10 and Enzo Fernandez #8 of Chelsea FC during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Final match between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium on July 13, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images Rumors abound that Chelsea will line up in a back-three today in the FA Cup Final against Manchester City, and there’s certainly an argument to be made that a tactical surprise could be just the thing to pull off the upset. Or it could be just the thing to make us look even more discombobulated than usual.

For the WAHNH Community however, there isn’t too much debate. The back-four formations (4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3) hold a distinct 60-40 edge over back-three looks (3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1). That said, the individual players voted in do lend themselves a hybrid look that could easily transition between formations depending on the phase and state of play.

It would require Reece James to step into midfield, though that’s not an uncommon thing these days, with Wesley Fofana perhaps covering the right side of the defensive line. 4-2-3-1 (49%) Sánchez (90%) | Cucurella (96%), Colwill (97%), Chalobah (52%), Fofana (46%) | Caicedo (99%), James (90%) | Neto (71%), Enzo (96%), Palmer (98%) | João Pedro (98%) Players just missing out include Andrey Santos (36%), Jorrel Hato (35%), Roméo Lavia (20%), and Malo Gusto (27$%). Trailing well off the pace behind them were the likes of Alejandro Garnaco (13%) and Josh Acheampong (7%), with all the rest even further below.