However, one Chelsea player has been ruled out of Sunday's clash with Leeds
16:43, 24 Apr 2026
Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro
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Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro celebrate(Image: Visionhaus)
New Chelsea interim head coach Calum McFarlane is hopeful that duo Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro will be able to start against Leeds United in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final.
The duo, who both scored against the Whites in February’s 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge, missed Tuesday’s defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion with muscle problems, with Pedro missing the last two games.
However, McFarlane, who was promoted to caretaker boss for the rest of the season on Wednesday following the sacking of Liam Rosenior, says the pair are in contention to begin Sunday’s showdown, albeit 19-year-old Estevao is out for the season with a hamstring injury.
“With Joao and Cole, they both trained today and are in a good place,” McFarlane explained on Friday. “We have another day tomorrow to have a look at them and then make a call on them.
“We hope [they can be involved], but it’s important we give them time. We are going to train tomorrow, they will both be involved and we will make a call on them after that session.”
Cole Palmer has scored four goals in his last two Chelsea appearances
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Cole Palmer celebrates scoring for Chelsea against Leeds United (Image: Andrew Kearns - CameraSport)
Asked further on whether either could start, McFarlane added: “Yeah, we hope so. They're going to train tomorrow and we'll make a call after that. So, yeah, we're hopeful.”
McFarlane has only managed two professional senior matches in his career, which came at Chelsea in January against Manchester City (1-1 draw) and Fulham (2-1 defeat) following the sacking of Enzo Maresca.
The 40-year-old - who was watching on at Wembley two years ago when former club Southampton, where he was under-18s coach at the time, defeated Leeds in the 2024 Championship play-off final - was coy over what tactics he would use but did offer a hint.
“We want to take control of the game.” he said. “We want to play our game. We want to play the game that suits the players in our group the best. We want to be aggressive and attack the game.
“I have a really good relationship with the players. Our process will be the same as when I was an interim before. I'll work the way I know how to work. Everyone's on board and we're ready for Sunday.
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“Yeah, Leeds vs Chelsea is always a big game. There's a rivalry there for various reasons. I haven't spoken to anyone about what it's like to lead a team out at Wembley. For me, it's just a game of football. It's 11 v 11 and you try and make it.”
Leeds have not lost to Chelsea this season, having beaten the Blues 3-1 at Elland Road in December.
On the Whites themselves, McFarlane - the third Chelsea manager Leeds will come up against this season - said: “I’m making sure that the lads are prepared for the strengths of Leeds and making sure we're ready to expose the weaknesses.
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“There's still a lot of belief in this group. I know it's been tough recently, but we've had some good games this year, good performances against top sides in recent history.
“There's a lot of talent. Some of those players in there are some of the best players in the world for their position. There's still a belief within us."