{"id":4004,"date":"2026-05-05T02:35:50","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T02:35:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=4004"},"modified":"2026-05-05T02:35:50","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T02:35:50","slug":"calum-mcfarlane-just-took-unnecessary-risk-during-chelsea-vs-forest-which-could-have-been-disastrous","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=4004","title":{"rendered":"Calum McFarlane just took unnecessary risk during Chelsea vs Forest which could have been disastrous"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Levi Colwill made his first appearance for the Chelsea first team of 2025\/26, although it was an insane risk which could have had drastic consequences for the Blues going forwards.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Calum McFarlane felt his hand was forced due to a woeful first half from Tosin Adarabioyo and Trevoh Chalobah, where they were exposed within two minutes.<\/p>\n

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Taiwo Awoniyi headed home completely unmarked to open the scoring, with Nottingham Forest going on to win 3-1 at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n

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Which Chelsea player was most at fault for the defeat to Nottingham Forest?<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\"Chelsea<\/div>
Photo by Alex Pantling\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

Calum McFarlane took incredible risk subbing on Levi Colwill vs Forest<\/h2>\n

McFarlane decided to sub on Levi Colwill at half-time for Tosin, handing him his first senior football of the season in a game many supporters inside the stadium had already given up on.<\/p>\n

Before the game against Forest, the interim boss played down speculation that he would be ready to feature in this game, despite it being known he would be in the squad.<\/p>\n

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\"Chelsea<\/div>
Photo by Sebastian Frej\/MB Media\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

He said: \u00a0\u201cWhen someone has had an injury that long, you have to be patient, not rush, take it day-by-day. Things can change day-by-day, his feeling can change day-by-day so we just take it step-by-step and when he feels ready to play then he will play.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe just need to manage his minutes in those moments to not push him too much because we don\u2019t want to risk re-injuring him but he looks brilliant, looks in a really good place. We are really hopeful we can see him before the end of the season.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fast forward to Sunday in West London though, and Colwill was being brought on to try and save Chelsea at the back, despite Josh Acheampong and Jorrel Hato both being on the bench.<\/p>\n

It has clearly been tough for the Blues to manage without their best centre-back this season, but subbing him on at two-goals down against a physical striker like Awoniyi could have had disastrous consequences.<\/p>\n

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How do you think these Chelsea players performed against Nottingham Forest?<\/h3>\n

Here’s what we think! \ud83d\udc49<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"Chelsea<\/div>
Photo by Chris Lee \u2013 Chelsea FC\/Chelsea FC via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

McFarlane risked Chelsea\u2019s future with Levi Colwill substitution<\/h2>\n

It is well known that Chelsea are building their defence around Colwill, with the defender expected to sign a new contract with the club.<\/p>\n

While he has not been able to contribute this season, there has to be a desire to build towards the next campaign now, especially with a full summer off for the defender.<\/p>\n

He is unlikely to be selected for Thomas Tuchel\u2019s England squad, and his body would likely welcome the break after playing a key role at the Club World Cup last summer.<\/p>\n

The ideal scenario would have been sending Colwill on for a few minutes in a comfortable victory. Instead, he was thrown to the wolves in the form of a rampant Forest side.<\/p>\n

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