Chelsea: Calum McFarlane makes bold prediction in last game before Liam Rosenior takes charge | OneFootball

Under-21s boss ends his interim reign with a west London derby

It was announced on Tuesday that Liam Rosenior has become the new head coach at the club, but Chelsea’s match against Fulham on Wednesday will be taken by McFarlane.

The 40-year-old took temporary charge for Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Manchester City and has been given one more game before returning to his Under-21s head coach position, which will allow Rosenior to then formally begin as the first team head coach.

Rosenior will take on a squad that includes a World Cup winner in Enzo Fernandez, as well as Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo and young Brazilian prodigy Estevao Willian.

McFarlane was asked what traits and characteristics he has seen from the Chelsea squad that Rosenior will see for himself when he begins working with the group.

“Firstly, there is a lot of talent,” McFarlane said.

“There are a lot of really talented players. Everyone speaks about the age, but I think there’s a lot of players in this group that can really go on to be the best players in their positions at their age, with a little bit of development.

“We’ve got a lot of top talent and good characters. You can’t do what those lads have done this season, you can’t do what those lads have done second half against Manchester City, with everything against them, if you don’t have a certain type of character in the group.

“I think Liam has got great characters to work with — really easy characters to work with — so it is a really exciting time.”

McFarlane continued: “There will always be inconsistencies with young players, and that’s probably the biggest part of the job: finding how we can make these players the best version of themselves as consistently as possible.

“But they’re in a really good place, have performed really well, and I still think they are in a good position now.”