McFarlane says Chelsea are locked in on Man City after 'crazy 24 hours'

Jan 2 : Chelsea's players ‌remain focused despite the club's sudden managerial upheaval, interim boss Calum McFarlane said on Friday after what he described as a "crazy 24 hours" following Enzo Maresca's New Year's Day departure.

The club's under-21s head coach was thrust into the spotlight after Maresca suddenly left amid a poor run of form, with a daunting debut awaiting him when they face Pep Guardiola's second-placed Manchester City on Sunday.

"It's been a crazy 24 hours, a whirlwind as you can imagine, but also really enjoyable and exciting. I can only feel positive about it. It's an amazing experience," McFarlane ‌told reporters ahead of Sunday's trip to Manchester.

"You don't know what to expect really. ‌The energy and enthusiasm in training was exceptional today. They seem really focused, driven and hungry. They know we've got a massive game on Sunday and we're going to have to be at our best.

"They're professionals. They've done this a long time, they've been here before. Reece (James) has been brilliant. He's been a real leader in the group and supported the staff and players."

CHELSEA SEEK TO END WINLESS RUN

Chelsea face a stern test against City, having failed to beat Guardiola's side across all competitions since ‍the 2021 Champions League final - a run spanning 11 games that include nine defeats.

As McFarlane prepares for his first game in charge of a senior team, he will face a veteran in Guardiola who has managed over 1,000 games and won nearly 40 trophies in his managerial career.

"Ultimately, it's a football match and it's not really about me or my first game or playing against Pep, it's ​about Chelsea v City. Two top sides," he ‌added.

"We'll go there and compete. We've seen how this team can do in big moments.