Chelsea interim supervisor Calum McFarlane admitted the final 24 hours have been “loopy” and a “whirlwind” however insists the gamers will probably be able to face Manchester Metropolis on Sunday, simply three days after former boss Enzo Maresca parted methods with the membership.
McFarlane, who’s the top coach of the Blues’ Below-21s crew, is ready to take cost of the senior aspect for the journey to the Etihad following the departure of Maresca on New Yr’s Day, whose exit, partially, was reportedly due to a breakdown in the relationship with the club’s hierarchy.
French outlet L’Equipe declare Chelsea are closing in on Strasbourg head coach Liam Rosenior however for the conflict in opposition to Pep Guardiola’s males, who performed out a goalless stalemate in opposition to Sunderland on Thursday, will probably be 40-year-old McFarlane within the dugout.
“It’s been a loopy 24 hours,” stated McFarlane, who has by no means taken cost of a senior skilled sport.
“A whirlwind, as you possibly can think about. But in addition actually pleasant and actually thrilling. I can solely really feel constructive about it. It’s a tremendous expertise.
“I’m fairly relaxed about it if I’m sincere. I’m positive as I get nearer to the sport it would develop into possibly extra nerve-wracking, extra daunting however I haven’t labored at this stage earlier than in fact however the lads at the moment have been good and it fills you with confidence that we’re all in it collectively and it’s a crew effort.”
McFarlane insisted he might solely “converse positively” about Chelsea’s homeowners, Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, who’ve come underneath criticism for his or her dealing with of the membership, and stated the gamers stay focussed on the duty at hand this weekend.
“They [the players] appear actually targeted. They’re actually pushed and hungry. They know we’ve acquired a large sport on Sunday and we’re going to need to be at our greatest. You’ll be able to really feel that.
“It’s all the time awkward when an interim is available in and it’s extra for them than it’s for us. It’s about them producing the extent of efficiency that they’ve accomplished earlier than in opposition to prime sides.
“We’ve had some prime outcomes this 12 months and we all know what this aspect is able to. My message to them is bringing the perfect model of themselves and being all in it collectively and believing that we will get the following couple of days proper and hopefully put in a very good efficiency on Sunday.”
