Chelsea’s interim manager Calum McFarlane insisted his players proved to their army of critics that they have character after beating Leeds United to set up an FA Cup final showdown with Manchester City.
McFarlane, 38, replaced the sacked Liam Rosenior on Wednesday after the Blues had suffered five successive league losses without scoring for the first time since 1912. That particular performance at the Amex Stadium led to accusations that the changing room was not playing for Rosenior.
Yet Enzo Fernandez, wearing the captain’s armband against Leeds, headed home the game’s only goal to ensure a return to Wembley next month in what could save Chelsea’s otherwise substandard season.
‘I thought our character, our fight and our drive was brilliant,’ McFarlane said.
‘We speak tactically a lot but tactics go out at the window at times and I thought the fight, winning second balls, headers, defending set-pieces – the character of the group was exceptional.
‘That’s been questioned a lot. And rightly so at times, maybe, but that is us at our best and we have to show that level as often as we can. This group is massively capable of that.’
Calum McFarlane has praised the character of his Chelsea stars after reaching the FA Cup final
McFarlane also described this victory as a ‘dream’, given he does not yet hold an UEFA Pro Licence and was managing only his third-ever senior match. He previously acted as Chelsea’s interim for two games in January – a draw with City and a defeat at Fulham – when he temporarily bridged the gap between Enzo Maresca leaving and Rosenior arriving.
Expanding on his players being told they lacked character – including the accusations that they earned Rosenior the sack after only 106 days in charge – McFarlane continued: ‘I wouldn’t question their character. Their character has been questioned because of results.
‘We’re playing top teams, you get into a rut, momentum is so important. We’ve seen it with the best team in the world. People are too reactive to the result.
‘That group has got massive character. You don’t beat PSG in the Club World Cup, Barcelona in the Champions League, and loads of other games… the character shouldn’t be questioned. I understand why, but there’s a lot of mentality, winners in that changing room. I’m really happy we could show that today.’
