Key Points
- Chelsea will face Leeds United in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley later this month.
- Andrey Santos described playing at Wembley as a “dream” and said he hopes Chelsea can perform well and win there.
- Santos said he is pleased with Chelsea’s recent 7-0 win over Port Vale and stressed the importance of recovering properly before the next matches.
- Chelsea teammate Jorrel Hato also said playing at Wembley would be a “dream come true”.
- Liam Rosenior said his focus remains on Chelsea’s upcoming Premier League fixture against Manchester City before the semi-final.
- Chelsea reached the last four after beating Port Vale 7-0, while Leeds advanced after a penalty shoot-out win over West Ham United following a 2-2 draw.
- Chelsea and Leeds have already met twice this season, with Leeds winning 3-1 at Elland Road and the sides drawing 2-2 at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea (The Leeds Times) April 7, 2026 — football.london reported that Andrey Santos said reaching Wembley for the FA Cup semi-final against Leeds United feels like a “dream”, as Chelsea prepare for a high-profile last-four tie later this month.
What did Andrey Santos say?
As reported by football.london, Santos said: “For me, it’s a dream. I have played at Maracana, and now I have the opportunity to play at Wembley. I am pleased and I hope we can perform well and secure a victory there.”
He also reflected on Chelsea’s 7-0 win over Port Vale, saying he was pleased with the performance and that the squad must now recover properly because another important match is coming soon.
That broader message was not limited to emotion alone.
Santos also underlined the need for focus, saying Chelsea must keep concentrating on their own performance, especially with Manchester City next on the schedule.
What did Chelsea do to reach Wembley?
Chelsea’s official website said the Blues booked their place in the semi-finals with a 7-0 victory over Port Vale at Stamford Bridge.
Jorrel Hato opened the scoring inside two minutes, and Chelsea were 3-0 up at half-time after goals from Joao Pedro and an own goal.
In the second half, Tosin Adarabioyo, Andrey Santos, Estevao Willian and substitute Alejandro Garnacho also scored.
That result sent Chelsea into the last four of the competition and set up a semi-final meeting with Leeds United.
Why is Leeds United the opponent?
Chelsea’s official match report said the semi-final draw took place at the London Stadium after Leeds beat West Ham United on penalties following a 2-2 draw.
Chelsea and Leeds have a notable cup history, and the club’s official site pointed out that this tie will be a repeat of the 1970 FA Cup final, which Chelsea won after a replay at Old Trafford.
The same source also noted that the teams’ only other FA Cup meeting since that final came two years ago, when Chelsea won a dramatic fifth-round tie 3-2 at Stamford Bridge thanks to a late Conor Gallagher goal.
What has Liam Rosenior said?
Football.london reported that Liam Rosenior said Chelsea’s attention is still on their next Premier League match and that he is not looking too far ahead to Wembley yet.
According to the report, Rosenior said:
“That’s what you aspire to, but people keep asking me what it means for me. I’m the manager and head coach of a prominent club, and it’s expected for us to find ourselves in such situations.”
He added that he will focus on Wembley when Chelsea get there, but for now his attention is on the home fixture against Manchester City next Sunday.
How do Chelsea and Leeds compare this season?
The football.london report said Chelsea are viewed as strong favourites, but Leeds have already caused them problems this season.
Leeds beat Chelsea 3-1 at Elland Road in December, before the sides shared a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge in February.
That means Chelsea go into the semi-final with the advantage of squad depth and recent scoring form, but not without warning signs from the two league meetings already played.
What does Wembley mean here?
For Santos, Wembley is not just another stadium but the setting for a first major occasion with Chelsea, which is why he described the experience as a dream.
Hato made a similar point after Chelsea’s win over Port Vale, calling the chance to play at Wembley a “dream come true”.
Chelsea’s official account also highlighted that the club are eight-time FA Cup winners, which gives the semi-final extra weight as they chase another run to the final.
Background of this development
Chelsea reached the FA Cup semi-finals by beating Port Vale 7-0, while Leeds progressed by defeating West Ham United on penalties after a 2-2 draw.
The draw pits Chelsea against Leeds in a tie that recalls the clubs’ 1970 FA Cup final, one of the competition’s historic fixtures.
It also comes after a season in which Leeds have already shown they can trouble Chelsea, taking four points from the two league meetings so far.
The match is scheduled for the weekend of 25/26 April 2026, with fixture and ticket details expected to follow.
Prediction for supporters
For Chelsea supporters, the immediate effect is a major increase in interest ahead of a Wembley semi-final that carries both history and pressure.
For Leeds United supporters, the tie offers a chance to test their side against a top-flight opponent in one of the biggest matches of their season, especially after their strong cup run.
For neutral fans, the fixture has the ingredients for a close contest because Chelsea have the higher-profile squad and stronger recent scoring record, while Leeds have already proven capable of competing with them.
The result could also shape the mood around both clubs in the final weeks of the season, with Chelsea balancing cup ambition against league commitments and Leeds seeking to turn a strong cup campaign into momentum.
