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Add as preferred source on Google<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\nBoth managers have been speaking ahead of Saturday\u2019s FA Cup final, and Calum McFarlane has branded Pep Guardiola\u2019s suggestion that Chelsea have an advantage as \u201cirrelevant\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n It has been a dismal season for those of a Chelsea persuasion, but Saturday could help relieve that to a degree. Chelsea face Man City in the FA Cup final, arguably their last chance of European qualification.<\/p>\n With Chelsea sitting ninth in the Premier League and only two league games left, a place in Europe of any kind next season feels unlikely. Yet, the winner of Saturday\u2019s contest will qualify for the Europa League.<\/p>\n Calum McFarlane’s latest injury update.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n It is incredible to think that McFarlane\u2019s sixth game as a senior manager will be an FA Cup final, but that is the case. It will be the second time McFarlane shares a dugout with Guardiola, drawing 1-1 in January.<\/p>\n Speaking ahead of the match, Man City boss Guardiola suggested Chelsea had an advantage going into Saturday\u2019s final because City were forced to play against Palace on Wednesday night, which they won.<\/p>\n \u201cChelsea have been at home all week, training and preparing. We have to travel to London, they will be at home with their wife and kids. So that is fatigue, and fatigue, and fatigue,\u201d Guardiola told reporters.<\/p>\n A clear attempt at mind games, given Guardiola made six changes to face Palace with Ruben Dias, Jeremy Doku and Erling Haaland on the bench. Haaland and Dias didn\u2019t even come on; Nico O\u2019Reilly left at home.<\/p>\n Asked about Guardiola\u2019s claim that Chelsea have an advantage going into Saturday\u2019s game, McFarlane branded it \u201cirrelevant\u201d. The interim manager reminded all that Chelsea will be facing an \u201cexcellent\u201d side.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, it\u2019s tough when you have a game midweek and you have a triple game week, it\u2019s tough. We\u2019ve had a lot of them this year but we\u2019re focused on ourselves, we\u2019re focused on how we prepare,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re playing against an excellent side and an excellent coach so we need to be at our best, irrelevant if they\u2019ve had a triple game week or not, so that\u2019s what we\u2019re focused on,\u201d McFarlane continued earlier on.<\/p>\n Against Liverpool, McFarlane switched to a line-up that included three at the back, with Marc Cucurella and Malo Gusto at wing-backs, in front of a defence boasting Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill and Jorrel Hato.<\/p>\n James and Colwill starting together for the first time since the Club World Cup\u2026<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n The chances are that McFarlane will retain that system given the performance against Liverpool. Andrey Santos impressed alongside Moises Caicedo, but Reece James is fit and he may be used in midfield.<\/p>\n Or, at right wing-back instead of Gusto. In attack, the return of Pedro Neto and Ale Garnacho does hand McFarlane options, but pragmatism is likely to be the order of the day when McFarlane picks his side.<\/p>\nIt\u2019s good news for Chelsea, but is it enough? \ud83c\udfc6<\/h3>\n
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<\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\nCalum McFarlane responds to Pep Guardiola\u2019s Chelsea claim<\/h2>\n
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<\/div>How will Calum McFarlane line-up against Man City on Saturday?<\/h2>\n
Would you make any changes to our FA Cup final XI?<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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