McFarlane relishing Man City clash after ´whirlwind´ start at Chelsea

Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane said it has been a “whirlwind” 24 hours since he was named as Enzo Maresca’s temporary successor.

Maresca left his position as the Blues’ head coach on New Year’s Day following a run of poor results, along with a breakdown in relations with the club’s hierarchy.

Ahead of the trip to face Manchester City on Sunday, it was confirmed under-21s boss McFarlane would take charge of the match.

Maresca’s departure came after a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth, which saw Chelsea drop yet more points from a winning position, leaving them fifth in the Premier League.

But such was the nature of McFarlane’s appointment, his training ground pass had to be amended to grant him access to the club’s press conference room on Friday.

“It’s been a crazy 24 hours, a whirlwind, as you can imagine, but also really enjoyable and really exciting,” he said.

“I can only feel positive about it. It’s an amazing experience. I am quite relaxed. I am sure as we get closer to the game, it will be more nerve-wracking.

“I haven’t worked at this level before, but the lads have been brilliant, and we will do this together.

“I wouldn’t say we have nothing to lose. We have to give a really good account of ourselves.”

We travel to Manchester for MD20. pic.twitter.com/t8jqDESbjy

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 2, 2026

Chelsea’s decision to part ways with Maresca denied the Italian from another reunion with Pep Guardiola, with whom he worked with at City during the 2022-23 campaign.

Reports before the Italian’s departure from Stamford Bridge suggested he was in line to replace Guardiola at City, though he did deny those claims last month.

“From my point of view, Chelsea have lost an incredible manager and an incredible person,” Guardiola said of Maresca’s departure.

“It’s a decision from the Chelsea hierarchy, so I’ve nothing to say. How lucky I am in the club where I am. My club is extraordinary.”

Asked about his own future, Guardiola – whose current deal runs until the end of the 2026-27 season – said: “I have one more year. I’ve been here for 10 years.

“I promise you, I will leave one day, but I have a contract. I want to fight with my team.

“The hierarchy respects me – they proved last season when we didn’t win one game in three months.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Manchester City – Erling Haaland

Haaland has scored 11 goals in eight Premier League home matches for City this season, netting twice in five different games.

The last player to score 2+ goals in more different home games in a season was Haaland himself in 2022-23 (six), and you would fancy him to add to that tally here.

That is because in six Premier League matches against Chelsea, he has managed six direct goal involvements (four goals, two assists).

Chelsea – Cole Palmer

Each of Palmer’s last nine Premier League goals for Chelsea have been scored in London, the latest of which came from the penalty spot against Bournemouth.

However, he has not netted outside the capital since December 2024 against Southampton, while Palmer has not scored north of London since August 2024 against Wolves.

MATCH PREDICTION: MANCHESTER CITY WIN

City are unbeaten in their last eight Premier League games against Chelsea (W6 D2), their joint-longest run without defeat against them in their league history (also eight between 1936 and 1949).

The Citizens have also failed to score in just one of their last 22 Premier League meetings with Chelsea, losing 2-0 at Stamford Bridge in December 2018.

And they have been in fine form at the Etihad. City have won their last eight top-flight home games, netting three or more goals in seven of those, including the last five in a row.

They last scored 3+ goals in more consecutive home league matches between April and October 2022 (10).

Chelsea, meanwhile, have won just one of their last seven Premier League games (D4 L2), having won five of their previous six (L1), which resulted in Maresca’s departure.

And having won four consecutive away league matches against City between 2005 and 2008, the Blues have now won just three of their last 16 visits to the Etihad (D2 L11).

The Blues will be hoping to start 2026 on a high. However, they have won their first league game in just one of the last nine calendar years (D6 L2), beating Fulham 1-0 in 2024.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Manchester City – 58.5%

Draw – 21.6%

Chelsea – 19.9%