Chelsea manager McFarlane pushes team to redeem campaign through FA Cup success

Chelsea have not secured a victory in their previous seven Premier League matches, leaving them in ninth position with almost no prospect of reaching next years Champions League.

McFarlane is serving his second stint as temporary manager, having advanced from coaching the under 21 squad to take over from Enzo Maresca in January, followed by Liam Rosenior just three months after.

Having lost the FA Cup final in 2020, 2021, and 2022, Chelsea have not claimed the trophy since beating Manchester United in 2018 for their latest home honour.

McFarlane feels that halting this dry spell could help soothe some of the pain from a difficult year.

Our league performances lately have fallen far short of what we anticipate and what we achieved before. This is the FA Cup final, so our goal is to take it, he stated to journalists on Thursday.

It is a huge tournament. At a club this size, with the legacy in this event and securing trophies, there is always expectation.

Expectation exists for every match. You must acknowledge it and welcome it.

Not yet experienced as a permanent head coach, McFarlane anticipates a full range of feelings as he enters Wembley this weekend.

I have handled several matches at this level, though none this significant, of course, but I aim to remain composed, keeping the approach consistent, he added.

While McFarlanes lack of experience is clear, the 40 year old guided Chelsea to their semi final triumph against Leeds at Wembley and held firm in a 1 1 Premier League draw against City manager Pep Guardiola back in January.

After suffering a 3 0 home defeat to City in the Premier League during April, Chelsea have failed to overcome Guardiolas team in the past 13 encounters since their 2021 Champions League final win.

They possess the confidence to defeat any opponent. We simply recognise that we need to perform at our peak. They are an outstanding team, led by a superb coach and featuring top talents, McFarlane remarked.

They present a tough test, yet we also boast strong players. These individuals have proven that at their highest level, they can overcome anybody.

Chelseas hunt for a lasting successor to Rosenior has connected them firmly with ex Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen chief Xabi Alonso.

When questioned on Alonso, McFarlane responded: There are numerous candidates associated with the role.

It is not my role to decide who should take it, or to judge which managers are effective and which are not.