Chelsea secured their place in another major final, making it four final appearances in as many seasons since the Clearlake Capital and Todd Boehly takeover, a sign that the philosophy adopted works, but just doesn't move.

Chelsea will face Manchester City in the Emirates FA Cup final after a 1-0 semi-final win over Leeds United at Wembley, which helped Calum McFarlane secure his first win in his second stint as interim boss after failing to win his first two games back in January.

Three days after showing Liam Rosenior the exit door, the Blues halted a run of three winless and scoreless games that had seen them drop further in the Premier League standings, with Champions League qualification now in jeopardy.

The win over Leeds United not only serves as a breath of fresh air after a torrid recent run of form, but also a sign that the philosophy of the club's hierarchy works, only that it leaves them stagnated due to some needless decisions.

Another Cup final shows BlueCo's model works

The Blues have faced a lot of criticism for their style since the takeover of Chelsea, but even though they may never be able to replicate the success under the previous administration, their efforts have paid off in certain ways.

The club has won the Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup under their guidance, while also making an appearance in the Carabao Cup final, although that ended in a defeat at the hands of Liverpool.

Since their takeover in May 2022, only Manchester City has reached more finals than Chelsea among all English clubs, while only the Citizens have also won more trophies in this period.

In an era where success is what really matters, BlueCo will argue that their model works, even though there is no denying that the flaws in it have caused the club to stagnate since their takeover.

The flaws in the BlueCo model

Chelsea's success under BlueCo has been limited to just one competition per season, especially Cup competitions, where the competitive level is lower, while they struggle in the league of the big guns.

Their first final under this administration came in the Carabao Cup in 2023-24, where Newcastle United was the only challenging opposition they faced en route to the final, where they lost to Liverpool on penalties.

Then came the Europa Conference League, the third tier of Europe's continental club competition, which they conquered in 2024-25 to become the only club to win all UEFA club competitions, a historic achievement recognized during the most recent gala.

Chelsea faced teams outside of Europe's top ten leagues during their run to the final, where they ultimately beat Real Betis 4-1 thanks to four second-half goals to secure a comeback win after Abde Ezzalzouli had given Manuel Pellegrini's team an early lead.

However, in the FIFA Club World Cup, they showed a level that has not been shown in their game at any point, blowing teams away in the knockout before easing to a 3-0 victory over reigning European champions PSG in the final.

It was back to the basics as they reached the FA Cup final for the 17th time in the club's history. All first four opponents were non-top-flight clubs before a narrow 1-0 win over Premier League relegation fighter Leeds United in the semi-final.

However, Chelsea struggles in the major competitions like the Premier League and UEFA Champions League, even against teams they had success against during their conquests in Cup competitions.

Why BlueCo model struggle in major leagues?

One of the most glaring issues within the BlueCo model is the chronic instability on the touchline. The hierarchy has shown a ruthless, and arguably counterproductive, impatience with managers just as they appear to find their footing.

The trend began with Mauricio Pochettino, who, despite guiding a young squad to a strong finish and European qualification in 2024, was shown the exit door out of the blue at the end of the season.

His successor, Enzo Maresca, delivered silverware in the form of the Europa Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup, yet he too was replaced in early 2026 after falling out with the management.

The constant hitting of the reset button by the board prevents any tactical philosophy from truly taking root, forcing players to adapt to new systems every few months, leading to the stagnation seen in the Premier League where consistency is the only currency that matters.

Beyond the managerial carousel, several other factors explain why Chelsea dominates one knockout cup per season but falters in the other competitions, and most importantly, the 38-game grind in the Premier League.

A combination of tactical inconsistency plus a young and inexperienced squad creates a team with high potential but low emotional maturity, factors that have led to several discipline issues that make them the most undisciplined Premier League club this season.

In games against other heavyweights like Manchester United and Arsenal, the Blues have either let their lack of discipline or lack of game-management skills to see out narrow leads get in the way.

The BlueCo administration often seems more enamored with the process of their data-driven model than the immediate reality of the league table. While this approach can navigate the shorter bursts of a Cup run, it lacks the resilience needed for the top-flight marathon.

Looking Ahead to Manchester City Test

Securing an FA Cup final spot is a testament to the individual quality within the squad, a sign that their philosophy does work. However, facing Manchester City at Wembley will be the ultimate test, because it is one of the points where they have already failed this season.

After falling out of European places completely in the wake of a 3-0 loss to Brighton, the FA Cup may be their only way back to Europe next season, especially with tough dates dominating their four remaining games of the league season.

Nevertheless, to move beyond mere cup specialists and return to the pinnacle of English football, Chelsea must find a way to marry their knockout success with a long-term managerial vision just as they planned with Liam Rosenior when he signed the long-term contract.

Still, they have to find the right man and trust him. The Englishman wasn't right for the job, but they've had Enzo Maresca and Mauricio Pochettino, two managers who have made them play like real competitors, and failed them.

If they continue to treat head coaches as disposable components, they risk becoming a team that collects niche trophies while watching the biggest prizes from the sidelines.

For now, McFarlane has a chance to deliver a parting gift, but the bigger questions regarding the club's direction remain unanswered, even if they upset the odds and beat Manchester City to claim their ninth FA Cup title.