As Calum McFarlane prepares for his second spell as Chelsea’s interim head coach, the 40-year-old has been handed the daunting task of dragging the Blues out of their worst scoring drought in over a century. Appointed on Wednesday night following Liam Rosenior’s sacking, McFarlane will lead Chelsea into Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Leeds United at Wembley — a fixture dripping with historical rivalry.
Speaking at Cobham on Friday, the former Under-21s boss played down the occasion in characteristically calm fashion. “Leeds vs Chelsea is always a big game. There’s a rivalry there for various reasons,” he said. “I haven’t spoke 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 [your own]. Just like last time, you try and make it as normal as possible and stick to your day-to-day processes to hopefully get the best performance and result.”
Chelsea head into the clash on the back of three straight defeats across all competitions, failing to score in each. McFarlane has made it clear he wants a response: “We want to take control of the game. 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.”
With that fighting talk in mind, the team selection hints at a bold reset — one that could raise more than a few eyebrows.
The Big Shift: Enzo Fernandez Buries His Old Role
One of the most eye-catching elements of the anticipated lineup is the repositioning of Enzo Fernandez. Long deployed in a deeper midfield role, the Argentine World Cup winner appears set for a more advanced No.10 position. This move effectively buries his previous responsibilities in the double pivot, freeing him to influence the game higher up the pitch alongside creative outlets.
It’s a transformation no one saw coming under recent regimes, but it aligns perfectly with McFarlane’s desire for control and aggression. Fernandez’s technical quality and vision could thrive in this freer role, especially if Chelsea commit to playing on the front foot at Wembley.
Two Heroes Return as McFarlane Goes Bold
Fitness updates provide a timely boost. Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro are both in contention after recent concerns, and if fit, they are expected to feature prominently. Their potential returns inject much-needed quality and goal threat into a side that has looked blunt in attack.
McFarlane has history with bold calls — recall his decision earlier this year to hand Josh Acheampong a deserved start against Manchester City. That willingness to trust youth or shake things up could surface again here.
Leaked Starting XI vs Leeds United (4-2-3-1)
Drawing from the latest insights and expert analysis around Cobham, Chelsea are expected to line up as follows:
- Robert Sanchez in goal. Despite some nervy moments with the ball at his feet in recent outings, his shot-stopping has kept scores respectable, and he remains the preferred No.1.
- Defence: Malo Gusto at right-back (preferred over more cautious options for his energy); Trevoh Chalobah and Jorrel Hato as the centre-back pairing, with Wesley Fofana potentially dropped; Marc Cucurella on the left, though he’ll need a big improvement in form.
- Midfield pivot: Andrey Santos alongside Moises Caicedo. Romeo Lavia has looked off the pace recently and may make way, allowing Santos to bring fresh legs and dynamism.
- Attacking three: Cole Palmer (if fit) on the right; Enzo Fernandez in the No.10 role; Pedro Neto on the left for his direct running and crossing.
- Up front: Joao Pedro (if available) leading the line to give Chelsea the best possible chance of reaching the final. His movement and finishing could be the difference.
This setup signals a startling transformation — more attacking intent, a reshaped midfield hierarchy, and faith in returning key players. It moves away from recent defensive hesitancy toward a side that wants to dominate proceedings.
Alternative voices in the Chelsea media landscape have suggested tweaks, such as starting Josh Acheampong at full-back for added boldness or keeping Romeo Lavia in the engine room, but the consensus leans toward the more progressive 4-2-3-1 outlined above.
McFarlane knows the stakes. A place in the FA Cup final is on the line, and with Chelsea’s Premier League form in tatters, this semi-final represents a golden opportunity to salvage the season. Whether his “just a game of football” mindset translates into a fearless performance at Wembley remains to be seen — but the early signs point to a refreshed, if risky, approach.
One thing is certain: eyes will be firmly on Enzo Fernandez in his new advanced role. If the Argentine delivers, this could be the spark Chelsea desperately need.