Chelsea interim head coach Calum McFarlane has insisted there remained “a lot of belief” within the squad that the club could rescue their season, despite a severe downturn in form that led to the dismissal of manager Liam Rosenior.
The Stamford Bridge side entered a turbulent period after a 3-0 defeat to Brighton earlier in the week, which proved to be the final straw for club officials. Rosenior’s tenure ended after just 106 days in charge, leaving Chelsea searching for stability at a crucial stage of the campaign.
McFarlane, who previously stepped in following the departure of Enzo Maresca in January, addressed reporters on Friday for the first time since the managerial change. He inherits a side under pressure, having lost five consecutive Premier League matches without scoring a goal and suffering seven defeats in their last eight games.
Despite the slump, McFarlane struck an optimistic tone ahead of Chelsea’s FA Cup semi-final against Leeds United on Sunday, a match now seen as vital to salvaging pride from an otherwise disappointing season.
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“I know it’s been tough recently, but we’ve had some good performances against top sides this year,” he said. “There’s a lot of talent. Some of those players are among the best in the world in their positions. There’s still belief within us. We can turn this around.”
He declined to comment on speculation about a possible dressing-room rift between Rosenior and the players, stating that he would not be drawn into discussions about internal relationships or whether the squad had been playing for the outgoing manager.
Reports had suggested growing tension within the dressing room, but McFarlane said no formal clear-the-air meeting had taken place prior to the managerial change.
Adding to Chelsea’s concerns, the coach confirmed that Brazilian winger Estevao Willian would miss the remainder of the season due to injury, casting doubt on his availability for the upcoming World Cup in June. He described the setback as “unfortunate”, particularly given the player’s age and potential, but stressed that the club would continue to support his recovery.
The uncertainty comes at a difficult time for Chelsea, who are attempting to balance squad rebuilding with the immediate pressure of cup competition and a collapsing league campaign.
As preparations continue for the FA Cup semi-final, McFarlane’s message centred on unity and resilience, with the club aiming to rediscover form and restore confidence after a turbulent spell at Stamford Bridge.
