Crisis-stricken Chelsea are prepared to visit Wembley this Sunday (April 26), where they are set to face Leeds United in the FA Cup semi-final. The Blues will turn to interim head coach Calum McFarlane once more, after the decision to sack Liam Rosenior earlier in the week.
Notably, McFarlane was handed the reins at the Stamford Bridge dugout after Enzo Maresca unceremoniously parted ways with the club on New Year’s Day. He showcased an impressive performance, holding off Manchester City in his first game in charge. However, the Blues had already decided to bring in Liam Rosenior from Chelsea’s sister club Strasbourg.
After an exciting start, Rosenior soon faltered, as the Blues lost form, with the former Hull manager getting sacked just three months into a six-year deal. He managed just 23 games from the dugout, as the Blues worsened in their performances on the pitch. After going five straight losses without scoring a goal in the Premier League, the club decided to sack Rosenior.
Speaking in his first press conference as interim after the sacking, Calum McFarlane insisted that his players would need to block out the chaos and noise surrounding the club’s struggles on and off the pitch. However, this will be a difficult task against a powerful Leeds United side, who have not lost to the Blues in their two Premier League matchups this season.
While Chelsea stumble in abysmal form, Leeds will arrive at Wembley after enjoying impressive wins over Manchester United and Wolves. They seem to be out of the relegation battle almost entirely, and they are widely expected to take this remarkable run of form into the FA Cup.
Fans in the UK can watch the semi-final clash on TNT Sports 1, with the kick-off time set at 3pm BST.
Chelsea Team News
Chelsea fans will be sad to note that teenage sensation Estevao Willian will not partake in any more games this season. The young winger suffered a serious hamstring injury, and even playing at the World Cup for Brazil looks like a far-fetched reality.
Meanwhile, Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer could both return ahead of the semi-final, after both missing the 3-0 loss to Brighton in what was Liam Rosenior’s last game at the Stamford Bridge dugout. The two players have returned to training, giving McFarlane some much-needed firepower against Leeds.
Reece James and Levi Colwill, however, remain on the sidelines. The latter is in a race against time to return to the pitch for Chelsea this season, with only five Premier League games left. However, he has already featured in Under-21 games, and could be on the verge of making an appearance before this season concludes.