Chelsea have 'something to prove' in FA Cup semi-final after two Wembley defeats

Thomas Tuchel has admitted Chelsea have “something to prove” in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace after losing two finals at Wembley.

Chelsea lost last season’s FA Cup final 1-0 to Leicester, although that disappointment was quickly eased by the Blues toppling Manchester City to claim the Champions League.

Tuchel’s Chelsea then lost out 11-10 on penalties to Liverpool in this season's League Cup final on February 27.

The Blues face Palace in a return to Wembley that Tuchel concedes will be laced with unfinished business.

“It helps that we got to Wembley and that we have a knockout game in the FA Cup and something to fight for straight away,” he said.

“The next big challenge, and we’re so close to a final and so close to another title you can fight for.

“That helps to shift the focus because we have been in a final there already this season. We’ve lost both our finals at Wembley. You feel you have something to prove.

“And it comes at a good time because there is a lot of reward and a lot to play for. It is easier to shift the focus than with a normal Premier League game.”

Chelsea’s season took a worrying turn with damaging home defeats, 4-1 to Brentford in the Premier League and 3-1 to Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final first leg.

Mason Mount celebrates after putting Chelsea in front at Real Madrid. AP

The Blues hit back in style by thrashing Southampton 6-0 at St Mary’s, then beating Madrid 3-2 in the Bernabeu Stadium on Wednesday.

Chelsea came agonisingly close to taking their Champions League defence into the semi-finals, only for Karim Benzema’s extra-time goal to knock them out 5-4 on aggregate.

Tuchel revealed he has let the wider ramifications of the Champions League exit sink in