Chelsea have endured a dismal season but some of it can be salvaged by winning the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon against Man City, and Calum McFarlane has provided an injury update.
Ninth in the Premier League and without a league victory in seven games, Chelsea’s chances of European football next season hinge on whether the Blues can upset the odds and beat Pep Guardiola’s City.
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Relegate Tottenham or win the FA Cup for Chelsea?
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Despite only taking charge of five matches, McFarlane now comes up against a side he previously worked for. Interestingly, one of McFarlane’s five games as interim Chelsea manager has come against Man City.
The Blues secured a late 1-1 draw in January, the first-ever time McFarlane managed Chelsea at senior level. But, he has won just once in his five matches and Chelsea’s injury list certainly won’t help matters.
Calum McFarlane provides injury update as Chelsea face City
Ahead of last weekend’s clash against Liverpool, McFarlane had no wingers available. Jamie Gittens and Estevao are recovering from hamstring issues, while Jesse Derry sustained a head injury against Forest.
Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho continue to recover from knocks picked up in training, but the duo missed Liverpool. Robert Sanchez also sat out Liverpool after his head injury during the loss to Forest.
Chelsea v Nottingham Forest - Premier League
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Now, McFarlane has provided an injury update in Thursday’s press conference. With Gittens, Estevao and Derry sidelined, the interim manager delivered good news on four Chelsea players including Garnacho.
“He’s trained well this week, Reece. Thought he played well when he came on, largely positive around Reece. Same sort of story [on Levi Colwill], had a really good rehab. Again, a really good training week.
“I thought he was exceptional against Liverpool. It speaks a lot about him that he can put him in that type of performance about such a long time off. He’s trained well this week,” McFarlane continued on Colwill.
“Pedro Neto and Ale Garnacho have trained well this week, so they look good. Positive signs.”
Pep Guardiola’s record against Chelsea is daunting
Come Saturday afternoon, the FA Cup final will be the 33rd time Guardiola has faced Chelsea as a manager. He has faced only Arsenal on more occasions as a manager than his West London rivals.
Chelsea have got the better of Guardiola in finals before, but Saturday feels like it will be an almost impossible job. Especially, given Guardiola has won 18 of his 32 matches against Chelsea in his career.
Does Pep Guardiola have a point?🤔
Pep Guardiola complaint ahead of FA Cup final
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With Guardiola in the dugout as Man City, Barcelona or Bayern manager, Chelsea have managed six draws and only won on eight occasions. It feels inevitable that he will secure a 19th win on Saturday.
But Chelsea are renowned for this. Getting themselves to a final and winning silverware, even when the form suggests they probably don’t deserve it. City played last night, Chelsea have had a rest, too.
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