Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterThirty two years ago, Glenn Hoddle led Chelsea into an FA Cup final against a Manchester giant this weekend, Calum McFarlane is charged with the same task.In 1994, the Blues faced a Manchester United side at the height of their powers under Sir Alex Ferguson, and ultimately succumbed 4-0, with Eric Cantona scoring twice from the penalty spot.Hoddle won the FA Cup twice as a player, though, and developed a reputation as a good tactician during his managerial career.Latest Videos From You may like Get VIP tickets for the FA Cup final Joe Cole and Ashley Cole on Chelsea's FA Cup chances Leeds want it more than Chelsea this weekend Hoddle's Chelsea gameplanOn Saturday, Chelsea will be huge underdogs against Manchester City, after a terrible run of recent form led to the exit of boss Liam Rosenior, with McFarlane taking interim charge until the end of the season.City, though, were shocked by Crystal Palace in last years FA Cup final, and also lost to Wigan Athletic in 2013.Asked how hed go about trying to mastermind a Chelsea win on this occasion, Hoddle gave his thoughts to FourFourTwo.Its a tough one, not knowing the players inside out, but I think youve got to understand, similar to when we went into that final in 1994, that theyre playing a very special team, said the TNT Sports pundit.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.United were a very special team, they won the double that year and this City side are too. Youre not going to have possession, so theyre going to have to come up with something thats going to give City something to think about.Too many teams just drop in, their number nine comes so deep and they try to defend, defend, defend.I understand that, and thats what will happen, but there are a few things theyve got to try to come up with, to try to cause them a problem and make them think. If not, theyre going to be in for a tough day.I would say that theyve got to really sit down with the staff and say to themselves Where can we hurt them? And play a team that suits that. If its going to be on the counter, youre going to need some pace and maybe pace from midfield, rather than just up front.But Chelsea have got individuals, they can still win this game. Theyve got individuals who could turn it on on any given day, even though theyre in bad form. A cup final is a cup final. City found it hard last year against Palace, and its happened in the past in cup finals. I dont think its all negative for Chelsea. Its a one-off hit.Hoddle was talking ahead of a month like no other, with five major football finals live on TNT Sports & HBO Max kicking off with the Emirates FA Cup this Saturday. Enjoy a full day of FA Cup coverage live on TNT Sports & HBO Max from 9am.TOPICSGlenn HoddleChelseaManchester CityFA CupChris FlanaganSocial Links NavigationSenior Staff WriterChris joined FourFourTwo in 2015 and has reported from more than 20 countries, in places as varied as Ivory Coast and the Arctic Circle. He's interviewed Pele, Zlatan and Santa Claus (it's a long story), as well as covering the World Cup, AFCON and the Clasico. He previously spent 10 years as a newspaper journalist, and completed the 92 in 2017.
