They might have just slogged it out with the Premiership champions over 120 minutes to become the first side to lift the FA Cup at the new Wembley, but Paul Hayward believes the hard work for Chelsea starts now.

The Daily Mail writer told The Supplement that Jose Mourinho is in for a long, hard slog this summer.

Hayward was responding to a piece from Frank Lampard in the Sunday press that suggested there are major issues to be sorted out before Chelsea can even think about reclaiming the title from Manchester United.

And with the Blues hitting the headlines for off-the-field matters as much as their performances on it this season, he expects that to intensify over the next four months.

"Mourinho's a showman to the end and he did an excellent job yesterday of disguising the fact that Chelsea have regressed this season," said Hayward.

"And winning the Carling Cup and FA Cup doesn't disguise the fact that Chelsea are an inferior team to Manchester United or that they've got problems that need resolving over the summer.

"It looked good yesterday and full credit to Chelsea for grinding out that result against a superior, or more skilful, Manchester United. But they have got problems."

Mourinho's extravagant six-fingered salute after the extra-time win over United  - representing the trophies he has won at Chelsea - was a clear message to owner Roman Abramovich.

But, says Hayward, that is not the issue. Instead, dressing room cliques, unwanted and expensive signings and the continual power struggle will be all Chelsea are concerned with this summer.

"Frank Lampard has alluded to it this morning, there's factions, cliques, there's confusion about who holds the real power at Chelsea, who's making the decisions above Mourinho's level," he said.

"You've got Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack, a serious manpower shortage in key positions - centre half and centre forward in particular - and all those problems need to be addressed over the summer.

"Abramovich won't be at all satisfied. They bought Ballack and Shevchenko to try and win the European Cup and they were not even close to winning the European Cup.

"They should have beaten Liverpool more convincingly at Stamford Bridge to give them more leeway at Anfield. I think that was a real cock-up from Chelsea in that semi-final - they really should have won that against Liverpool over two legs.

"In the Premiership Manchester United were over the horizon I felt, even though Chelsea stuck to their task. Therefore Chelsea have regressed and that is a fact.

"Manchester United were more entertaining and they were more successful because they won the league."