Calum McFarlane has named his Chelsea side to take on Leeds United in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final, making three changes to the side that was hammered at Brighton on Tuesday.
It feels like a lifetime since Chelsea last stepped onto the pitch. Tuesday’s dismal showing at Brighton saw Liam Rosenior perform his final act, losing a 12th time in just 23 matches and receiving the dreaded axe.
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Now, McFarlane has been reinserted as caretaker manager until the end of the season. Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Leeds is only his third match in senior professional football, failing to win his first two.
Although well-liked, the pressure is on McFarlane to rid this Chelsea squad of a losing feeling and beat an in-form Leeds side that has gone unbeaten in seven matches. Well, McFarlane has now named his side.
Calum McFarlane brings Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer back in
Going into the game, Estevao, Levi Colwill, Filip Jorgensen, Jamie Gittens and Reece James were all ruled out. However, McFarlane sounded positive regarding both Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro after their knocks.
Both missed the game at Brighton, but McFarlane was upbeat about their progress and now, the interim gaffer has named Pedro in his XI, and Palmer is on the bench. Alejandro Garnacho is also starting today.
Indeed, Pedro is a straight swap for Liam Delap. Elsewhere, Jorrel Hato and Wesley Fofana have been dropped by McFarlane, who has instantly brought back Tosin Adarabioyo and also started Garnacho.
Our starting line-up to face Leeds at Wembley! Are you happy with McFarlane’s choices?
Three changes…
Chelsea’s record against Leeds and Daniel Farke
Chelsea fans will be well aware that they have dropped five points out of six against Leeds this season. A 3-1 defeat at Elland Road under Enzo Maresca was followed by a 2-2 draw against Leeds in West London.
Today’s clash is the tenth meeting between the two sides since 2020, with Chelsea winning five times in nine games. But Leeds have avoided defeat this season and came close to winning in the FA Cup in 2024.
Chelsea do have more success against Farke himself, though a lot of that success came while Farke was in charge of Norwich. It included a 7-0 win for Chelsea, but today’s game is a different story, completely.
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