Chelsea FC interim head coach Calum McFarlane has called on his side to salvage their difficult season by defeating Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
Chelsea are without a win in their last seven Premier League matches and currently sit ninth in the table, leaving them with little hope of qualifying for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
McFarlane, in his second spell as interim boss after stepping up from the club’s under-21 setup, took charge following managerial changes earlier in the season.
The London club last lifted the FA Cup in 2018 and have since suffered final defeats in 2020, 2021 and 2022, adding pressure to end their trophy drought.
“We want to win it. It’s a massive competition and there’s always pressure at a club like this,” McFarlane said ahead of the final at Wembley.
He acknowledged the club’s inconsistent league form but stressed the importance of embracing the expectation to deliver silverware.
The interim coach, who has yet to take a permanent managerial role, said he would aim to remain composed on the touchline despite the magnitude of the occasion.
Chelsea have already faced Manchester City multiple times in recent seasons, including a 1-1 Premier League draw in January, but have struggled overall, losing their last meeting 3-0 and failing to beat Pep Guardiola’s side in 13 encounters since their 2021 Champions League triumph.
McFarlane described City as “an exceptional side” but insisted his team had the quality to compete if they perform at their best.
He added that Chelsea’s focus remains on delivering a strong collective performance rather than being distracted by speculation over the club’s long-term managerial appointment.
