Chelsea's FA Cup final against Manchester City this Saturday is more than a Wembley occasion for Trevoh Chalobah. It's an opportunity to end the season with silverware and write another chapter in his long association with the competition.
The Blues face City beneath the Wembley arch this weekend in our 17th final in the world’s oldest domestic cup competition – and Trev is relishing the occasion.
Our Academy graduate is under no illusions about the challenge that awaits us against City, and also recognises the inconsistency of our season so far. However, Chalobah believes the Blues can give supporters another special Wembley moment and end the campaign with silverware once more.
‘This final means a lot,’ says Chalobah. ‘We’ve been up and down at Wembley over recent years, and this one means a lot for the players and the fans. We want to win this.
‘It’s time for us to grab it with both hands and give it our all. It has not been the season we wanted, but we have the chance to win a trophy. We know how big the FA Cup is, and to win three trophies in two years would be an achievement.'
Having joined Chelsea at just eight years old, Chalobah understands the Blues’ connection to this competition better than most. And he also has his own successful history with the famous trophy.
As the 2017/18 campaign drew to a close, Chalobah was training with the first-team squad as they prepared for an FA Cup final against Manchester United – and an injury on the eve of the game saw Chalobah called up to the match-day squad.
‘It was a day that I didn’t expect,’ Chalobah explains. 'Andreas Christensen got injured the day before the final, and I was told that I would be part of the squad. That day alone was amazing for my family and me. Coming into the final, I thought I’d be in the stands, never mind on the bench.
‘When I saw my name listed as part of the match-day squad, it was an amazing feeling. Walking out for the warm-ups at Wembley was like a dream.
‘It was my first time at Wembley, but because I had been training with the first team during the second half of the season, it wasn’t so daunting. I felt ready. I got a medal that day – and it was my first senior trophy.’
Eight years on, Chalobah says he learnt a great deal from the experience, particularly from the wealth of talent around him. And one player left a lasting impression.
‘Being around those top players at that time, and getting my hands on the trophy, experiencing all that as a young player, was really good for me,’ Chalobah continues.
‘The likes of N’Golo Kante, Cesc Fabregas, Eden Hazard and Olivier Giroud were all in the dressing room that day, and Toni Rudiger was amazing with me. I became really close with him that season; he helped me a lot with training and being in and around the team.’
Having arrived at Wembley in 2018 as a youngster, absorbing every detail around him, Chalobah returns on Saturday with the chance of helping the Blues achieve another FA Cup triumph.
And the England international believes his role in the Blues dressing room at Wembley will mirror that played by Rudgier eight years ago.
‘I see some similarities today, except the roles have reversed,' he says. 'Obviously, with the young players we have in the squad, I can see myself in that role this time around.’
While the story of this final will be different for Chalobah and Chelsea, those supporting the Blues will hope for the same ending as in 2018.