Evening Standard
·25 April 2026
Chelsea: Calum McFarlane rubbishes Liam Rosenior rumour amid FA Cup semi-final promise

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·25 April 2026

Interim boss adamant Blues will give their all in Leeds clash amid grim spell
Calum McFarlane has rubbished reports claiming Liam Rosenior chose not to address the Chelsea players in the dressing room after the Brighton defeat.
The Blues’ 3-0 defeat on the south coast on Tuesday spelled the end for Rosenior as head coach after just 106 days.
The Englishman came out in post-match interviews and accused his players of lacking “professionalism” and failing to give their all in an “indefensible” performance that left Chelsea with seven defeats from their last eight games and their Champions League hopes all but dashed.
It was reported by some media outlets that Rosenior, who was sacked on Wednesday, ducked the dressing room at the Amex and chose not to address his players following their thrashing.
But interim head coach McFarlane, whose first game is Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Leeds, has attempted to put the record straight.
“He did address the players, as he does with every game, and gave his thoughts on the performance and what needs to be done moving forward,” McFarlane revealed.
“So, yes, those reports aren’t true, like a lot of reports.”
McFarlane was questioned as to whether he could promise fans that ill discipline and supposed lack of effort would be brought to an end once and for all during his interim reign.
“Everything has been done that we possibly can, working really hard to make sure that the lads are as best prepared as they can be for what Leeds are going to throw at us,” the 40-year-old said, steering the conversation back to Sunday’s trip to Wembley.”
On three separate occasions, including before the Brighton game, Rosenior had his starting line-up leaked before a big Chelsea match.
“It has been addressed,” McFarlane promised. “It’s been address before, previously. It’s something that we are looking into and it needs to stop.
“We’ve spoken to them about the importance of that and making sure it doesn’t happen again.”
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