The FA Cup will be a more than just a cup win for either Liverpool or Chelsea.

The FA Cup will be a more than just a cup win for either Liverpool or Chelsea.

This season’s  FA Cup semi finals were very dramatic for two very different reasons. Liverpool overcame city rivals Everton in a tight affair with a late Andy Carroll goal following two defensive mistakes that had the game locked at 1-1. Chelsea in the end humiliated their London rivals Tottenham 5-1 but not before “the goal that never was” when they were 1-0 up early in the second half.

Both teams now head back to Wembley with more riding on the outcome of the FA Cup final than there has been in a very long time. Considering the season’s they have both endured, are Liverpool and Chelsea a cup win away from a successful season?

What is ironic is the fact that both teams have had more than their fair share of controversy and seem to only rival each other for how tumultuous their season’s have been so far, but both have also had successes.

Liverpool, who are currently lying 8th in the league, after spending in excess of £100m have not had a season most Liverpool fans would have anticipated when it comes to the Premier League.

If you add that to Luis Suarez being charged with racial abuse and banned for 9 games, the club being accused of racism, the poor way Kenny Dalglish handled the situation and of course the non handshake. More recently, the sacking of their director of football strategy Damien Comolli due to the failed signings which I thought was harsh.

Fortunately for Liverpool winning the Carling cup, beating Manchester City over two legs in the semi final then overcoming Cardiff on penalties, and now reaching the FA Cup final beating no less than current Premier League leaders and champions Manchester United along the way, their season has a touch of respectability to it.

Chelsea on the other hand started with the controversial acquisition of young inexperienced manager Andre Villas-Boas, a dressing room power struggle with the players and indifferent form eventually led to his sacking, Chelsea’s 7th manager in 8 years.

During that time the ongoing form, or lack there of from £50m signing Fernando Torres didn’t help the situation along with the racial abuse accusation of England captain John Terry which still has not been resolved.

But again during that time they have had another great run in the Champions league and now find themselves as England’s only representative in the semi finals (their 6th in 8 years). To add to this of course, they have reached their third FA Cup final in four years after demolishing Tottenham.

Though Chelsea have that Champions League Semi final to play against Barcelona, they will face Liverpool in what could be one of the most significant FA Cup finals in years. Both teams will be one win and one step away from turning what could have been a disastrous season that will have a knock on effect in the summer into a relatively successful one.

With that being said, both clubs have deep-lying issues they need to address over the summer. For Liverpool, will they need to spend heavy again, get rid of or keep faith with the big money signings that have not performed in the Premier League. In addition to this, what about Kenny Dalglish? Has he done enough to warrant another season in charge or should he be moved upstairs?

Chelsea’s side are getting older, they surely need to invest in the summer but will Abramovich get his cheque book out again? And if he does, question is who goes and who stays? Again that will include the new manager Roberto Di Matteo.

The thing is, all these issues however unclear now, will be much clearer after the Cup final. What is certain is the decisions made in the summer will come much easier to the team who triumphs at Wembley.

We all know there is a very thin line between success and failure in football, so a lot is riding on the outcome of the FA Cup final. It could well define each teams season as the winners will sail off into the summer having made lemonade from lemons. The losers, will be heading for a summer of ridicule, self-doubt, questions, indecision, and a lot of what ifs.