Chelsea interim boss Callum McFarlane has spoken to the media ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley
Chelsea have been handed a triple injury boost ahead of the FA Cup final against Manchester City. Interim head coach Callum McFarlane has delivered an update on Pedro Neto, Alejandro Garnacho and Robert Sanchez, with things looking hopeful for them ahead of the weekend.
The Blues have been brutally struck by a plague of injuries in recent weeks, which left McFarlane without no natural wingers fit for the 1-1 draw at Liverpool last weekend. Neto and Garnacho missed the match at Anfield with muscular‑related knocks, while Sanchez had his head split open against Nottingham Forest earlier this month and required on‑pitch bandaging from Chelsea’s medics.
Sanchez was left bloodied following a collision with Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, which left both players on the floor clutching their heads. The Spaniard was the second Chelsea player forced off with a head injury at Stamford Bridge.
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Things are now looking hopeful for the trio ahead of a huge chance to secure silverware before the end of the season.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday afternoon, McFarlane confirmed: “Pedro Neto and Ale Garnacho have trained well this week. Looking hopeful for them.”
On Sanchez, McFarlane added: “Yep. Same news as the other lads, to be honest. He’s trained really well this week so we will see on Saturday.”
On the injury front, Estevao Willian, Jamie Gittens and Jesse Derry remain sidelined heading into the final two Premier League games of the season.
Meanwhile, Levi Colwill also made his long‑awaited comeback after 295 days without playing, featuring in the 3-1 defeat to Forest. In extremely complicated circumstances, he was still able to show, albeit briefly, what Chelsea have been missing this season.
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McFarlane says he is working hard to get back to the levels Chelsea fans are used to. “Again, a really good training week,” the interim boss continued.
“He’s focused on getting himself back and playing for Chelsea. He wants to continue playing at the level he did against Liverpool.”
The potential return of Neto, Garnacho and Sanchez is a major boost for Chelsea as they look to lift the FA Cup following an underwhelming campaign.
McFarlane has suggested the mood in the camp is positive, with players confident they can get the job done against Pep Guardiola’s City. “I’ve been happy with the whole group – players in the squad and players out the squad,” he stated.
“The level of professionalism at times. I’m confident we will get a similar level of performance as we did vs Liverpool. We ticked a lot of boxes in that game. I’m confident we can get that again.
“When you’re at a club like this, there’s always pressure. There’s pressure to win every game but this game as well – we have to embrace that.”
However, the west Londoners’ record against City is far from impressive, having struggled to beat them in any competition since 2021.
Their last victory came in the Champions League final, when Kai Havertz’s strike proved decisive at the Estadio do Dragao.
And McFarlane warned: “They have the belief they can beat anyone. We know we need to be the best version of ourselves.
“We have some really good players and they have shown they can beat anyone if they are at their best.”
The FA Cup final at Wembley is scheduled to kick off at 3pm on Saturday, May 16.
