At the end of a turbulent week featuring the abrupt exit of Liam Rosenior after less than four months in charge, Chelsea interim head coach Calum McFarlane says his players face a “massive game” and a “great opportunity to get to an FA Cup final” when they meet Leeds United in the final four on Sunday.
A wretched 3-0 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion signalled the end for Rosenior and a fifth straight league loss without scoring for the Blues, who have avoided defeat twice in their last eight matches in all competitions by beating second-tier Wrexham and third-tier Port Vale in the cup.
“Everyone’s excited – the whole group, the whole club,” added McFarlane, who also took temporary charge when Enzo Maresca left Chelsea in January.
“This is why you do the job, so we’re all really excited and looking forward to the game. Our performance wasn’t good enough [against Brighton] and we’re going to address that and perform to the level we’re capable of.
“[It’s a case of] making sure the lads are prepared for the strengths of Leeds and making sure we’re ready to expose their weaknesses.”
Chelsea’s record against Leeds this season suggests they may struggle even if they are at their best, having lost 3-1 at Elland Road in December and spurned a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at Stamford Bridge in February.
“We will not do anything too special for this game and we will prepare like a normal Premier League game,” explained Leeds head coach Daniel Farke.
“I trust my lads and I trust my group. The result is not a guarantee because we face strong opponents who have unbelievable quality and a very skilful squad.
“We will stick to our DNA. We have to be brave, play on the front foot, be good in possession and threaten the opponents’ goal.
“We also have to be ready to suffer and defend well as a unit but also go through tricky moments. If we do this, we have a chance.”
Chelsea v Leeds team news
Leeds midfielder Ilia Gruev will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury and right-back Jayden Bogle is a doubt with a foot problem.
Midfielder Anton Stach could return after three matches out with an ankle issue. Centre-back Sebastiaan Bornauw, who has been an unused substitute in Leeds’ last nine league games but featured in all of their FA Cup matches this season, is a doubt after rolling his ankle during the warm-up before the 2-2 draw at Bournemouth on Wednesday.
Winger Estevao Willian will miss the rest of Chelsea’s season with a hamstring injury but forwards Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro could return.
Goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen (groin), defender Levi Colwill (knee) and winger Jamie Gittens (hamstring) remain absent.
