JUST IN: CALUM MCFARLANE SPEAKS! "PICKING THE TEAM IS THE HARDEST JOB" AT CHELSEA
Interim boss Calum McFarlane reveals the challenges of picking a Chelsea XI to face Man City after Enzo Maresca’s shock exit.
Chelsea’s interim boss, Calum McFarlane, has opened up about how he’ll pick his starting eleven to face Manchester City in the Premier League.
McFarlane, who’s usually in charge of Chelsea’s Under-21s, stepped up after Enzo Maresca’s recent departure. He met the first team for the first time just before Friday’s training session, and now he’s suddenly prepping for a huge match—Chelsea’s first of nine in a packed January.
Getting ready to take on Pep Guardiola’s side, McFarlane doesn’t have a lot of time to figure out his lineup for the Etihad. Some decisions are already out of his hands. Moises Caicedo is suspended, so he’s definitely out. Marc Cucurella’s back in training after a hamstring injury, but it’s not clear yet if he’s ready to play.
Asked about his approach, McFarlane said he’s working closely with the medical team to manage everyone’s fitness, including Cole Palmer and Reece James. He admitted, “Honestly, picking a team is tough—probably the hardest part of the job, even with the U21s. You always end up letting someone down, but you’ve got to do what feels right in the moment.
“We’re obviously talking to the medical staff, especially since a few guys are coming back from injuries. That’s pretty standard, but we’ll pick the team that’s ready to compete and get the job done.”
After Maresca’s exit was announced around lunchtime on New Year’s Day, McFarlane and the rest of the staff dived straight into analyzing Man City. They watched City play last night, which gave them a fresh look at what to expect and helped them sketch out a plan for Sunday.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are still searching for a permanent manager. Right now, RC Strasbourg’s Liam Rosenior is leading the race, with Andoni Iraola also in the mix.
For now, the club’s directors and owners have thrown their support behind McFarlane as he handles the caretaker role. “I’ve spoken to the directors and owners, and honestly, they’ve been great,” McFarlane said. “They’ve given us everything we need. We’re all in this together.”
CHELSEA X IFS: "INDUSTRIAL AI" GIANT CONFIRMED AS NEW FRONT-OF-SHIRT SPONSOR THROUGH 2026
Chelsea finds a sponsor! Discover the IFS AI deal, why Liam Rosenior is thriving, and details for the Burnley & Man Utd fixtures.
Chelsea just announced IFS, a new AI company, as their front-of-shirt sponsor for the rest of the 2025/26 season. They haven’t had a regular sponsor since the partnership with mobile giant Three ended back in 2023, so this is a big move and, as they put it, the start of a long-term partnership.
So, who are IFS? According to Chelsea, IFS is all about industrial AI; they build software that helps organisations solve tough, real-world problems using artificial intelligence. Starting this weekend, when the men take on Burnley and the women face Manchester United in the FA Women's Cup fifth round, you'll see IFS branding right there on the front of the shirts.
Chelsea made it pretty clear in their statement: teaming up with IFS puts them right at the front of football’s tech revolution. By using IFS’s AI, they’re hoping to fine-tune everything from performance on the pitch to behind-the-scenes operations and even fan engagement. The idea is to get smarter, move faster, and set a new standard in the way a top football club runs.
This partnership is a signal that Chelsea doesn’t just want to win matches; they want to lead the way in how elite clubs use technology and innovation. By bringing advanced AI into the core of their operations, they’re looking to set the pace in global sport.
But keep in mind, IFS won’t be the permanent shirt sponsor after this season. Chelsea is reportedly holding out for a deal worth about £65 million from their next main partner.
Club president Jason Gannon summed it up: “We’re incredibly proud to partner with IFS and use their cutting-edge AI to help push the club to even greater success. This is a clear sign that we plan to stay at the top, making the most of what technology can do for us, on and off the pitch.”
IFS’s CEO, Mark Moffat, echoed that drive: “In both sport and industry, the margins are razor-thin. The right call at the right time makes all the difference, and that’s what our AI delivers. Chelsea holds itself to those same high standards, and that’s why we’re proud to be their principal partner."
Looking ahead, Chelsea sit fifth in the Premier League, just one point behind Manchester United. Manager Liam Rosenior is off to a great start and sounds pretty optimistic: "It can’t really get any better, can it? When you get a big job like this, you want to hit the ground running. I think we’ve done that, but there’s still so much more to come, which is exciting. As long as we keep improving while we’re winning, I’ll be a happy manager."
CHELSEA’S LIAM ROSENIOR DEMANDS PERMANENT EXPULSION FOR ON-PITCH RACISM
Liam Rosenior demands life bans for racism in football. Discover his response to the Vinícius Jr vs Benfica incident and Mourinho.
Liam Rosenior didn’t hold back; he wants anyone in football, player or coach, who’s found guilty of racism kicked out of the sport for good. He’s lived it himself, and he says nothing compares to the pain of facing abuse on the pitch.
This all comes after Vinícius Júnior, who plays for Real Madrid, walked off during a Champions League match, saying Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni racially abused him. Prestianni denies it, and Benfica claims he’s actually the victim of a smear campaign. Still, the Argentinian could face a 10-game ban if UEFA decides he’s guilty.
Benfica manager José Mourinho seemed to stir the pot, hinting that Vinícius provoked things with what he called a “stupid” goal celebration. Rosenior wouldn’t wade into Mourinho’s comments, saying there’s still an investigation going on. But he gets why Vinícius was so upset; he’s been there.
“Racism has no place in society, let alone football,” Rosenior said. “When you see someone as upset as Vinícius was, there’s usually a reason behind it. I can’t talk about this specific case while it’s being investigated, but I’ve been racially abused myself. I know what it does to people. "When you’re judged for something you should actually be proud of, it’s just the worst feeling.”
He pulled no punches about punishment, either. “If any player, coach, or manager is found guilty of racism, they’re out. That’s it. Simple as that.”
When asked again about Mourinho’s remarks, Rosenior stayed firm. “Listen, no matter how a player celebrates, race has no place in the conversation. I don’t know all the context, so I’m not going to judge until the facts are out.”
He also talked about the bigger picture. Rosenior said he told his Chelsea players to take some time in the sun this week after a brutal run of games, but he’s frustrated with how divided things feel these days. He blames a lot of that on parts of the media that rush to judge people, whether it’s about who they love, where they’re from, their religion, or the colour of their skin.
“It honestly makes me sick,” he said. “It’s not just a football problem. The media and social media need to be held to account. People should be judged on their character, nothing else. That’s the only way any of this gets better.”