Calum McFarlane insists there is no need for a clear-the-air meeting with the Chelsea players after he was appointed interim boss for the second time this season.McFarlane has been drafted in following the sacking of Liam Rosenior earlier this week and will be in charge for the remainder of the season, starting on Sunday for the FA Cup semi-final against Leeds at Wembley. He held the role in January for two games after Enzo Maresca was fired.Rosenior was dismissed amid suggestions the players had lost respect for the former Strasbourg boss, culminating in the dreadful 3-0 defeat at Brighton on Tuesday night.Asked if he had spoken to the players about their attitude, McFarlane said: We havent had a clear-the-air meeting, we have got the group focused for Sunday. Spoken about the game plan and how we are going to approach the game both in and out of possession. Its important we have a real focus for the game on Sunday. We cant be thinking about anything else, whats gone on in the past doesnt need to be spoken about. Its just everything geared towards Sunday.Chelsea need to improve performances McFarlaneThe loss at the Amex was Chelseas fifth consecutive defeat without scoring their worst such sequence since 1912 and left them in eighth place in the Premier League table.McFarlane, who was one of Roseniors assistants, added: Yeah, we need to improve performances, the performance against Brighton was not good enough, we know that and it is about trying to figure out a reason why from a technical and tactical perspective, making sure the team are in a better place to execute the game plan.Its not my place to say what has gone wrong or right. Weve got a massive, massive game on Sunday. All I am thinking about is Leeds as a team, what are their strengths? What are our strengths and weaknesses and how we are going to prepare for that game?McFarlane said he had spoken to Rosenior and admits to being gutted it didnt work out for him at Stamford Bridge.I spoke to him on the phone on Wednesday, said McFarlane. He was good, it was a good conversation. I have a lot of respect for Liam, I didnt know him before he came to the club, he welcomed me in brilliantly. I have a great relationship with him and I am gutted it didnt work out. Topics Chelsea F.C. Leeds United F.C. Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Injured Chelsea winger Estevao to miss rest of the season and could be sidelined for the World Cup Jon Fisher 24th April, 2026 FPL Blank Gameweek 34: Your Ultimate Free Hit Guide Jon Fisher 24th April, 2026 FPL: Assessing your free hit options for Gameweek 34 with Tottenham players prominent Blake Hurst 24th April, 2026 What time is the FA Cup final 2026? Confirmed start time, full details on where to watch, TV channel and live online stream for 2025/26 showpiece Ben Miller 24th April, 2026 Lampard in his happy place at Coventry amid links of Chelsea return Nicholas McGee 23rd April, 2026 Bournemouth 2-2 Leeds: Farke hails priceless point as Iraola fumes at offside decisions Nicholas McGee 23rd April, 2026
