Overview
- He was informed on New Year’s Day that he would take charge and headed to Cobham within an hour.
- McFarlane called in his Chelsea U21 staff to assist, with coaches reporting on their day off to prepare the team.
- Preparation consisted of two senior training sessions following the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth earlier in the week.
- He said he will keep the core of Enzo Maresca’s approach in place while adding limited ideas due to the time constraints.
- The match is his first as a senior head coach, and he praised Reece James’s leadership and the squad’s positive energy.