McFarlane not thinking about Chelsea future ahead of Alonso arrival

Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane insisted he has not thought about his future at the club following Xabi Alonso's appointment as manager.

Alonso's four-year deal, which begins on July 1, was announced on Sunday, a day after Chelsea's FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City.

McFarlane was named as interim boss for the second time this season after Liam Rosenior was sacked in April, and he has won just one of his four games at the helm this time around (D1 L2).

Chelsea could still finish in the European places, with the Blues three points off eighth-placed Brentford in what is currently a Conference League position, while Europa League qualification is also on the cards.

Chelsea face rivals and relegation-threatened Tottenham on Tuesday, and McFarlane claimed there has been no time for him to think about his future.

"I haven’t thought about that. There is so much to prepare for," said the Chelsea interim boss.

"There is so much to play for and answer. But my focus is always on the next game and the next training session.

"He [Alonso] sent me a text message. I’ll keep that private, but mainly just around the final. I’ve had a brief conversation with him via text.

"Really exciting news. Very talented, massive pedigree. Really excited for the club. We’re all looking forward to working with him.

"It doesn’t surprise me. It’s a massive club. We’ve got really exciting players coming to play here.

"Even though it’s a disappointing season, they are showing at times this year the kind of quality that we have. It’s a massive club and it will always attract top players and top managers."

Spurs, meanwhile, could confirm their safety with a win at Stamford Bridge, while a draw would also most likely be enough due to their superior goal difference over West Ham.

Spurs have taken as many points from their last four Premier League games (eight – W2 D2) as they had in their previous 17 combined (W1 D5 L11).

Despite their improved form, Roberto De Zerbi has urged his side to show the right mentality ahead of a tough trip across the capital.

"In the last four games we made eight points and we could have made more than eight," said the Spurs boss.

"We have to be confident and positive. We cannot forget the situation from a month ago.

"We are not safe yet. We have the quality, we have to show the right mentality.

"It is difficult, it's a tough stadium because the players at Chelsea have been fantastic. Fantastic players and fantastic managers.

"They played two days ago [Saturday] very well, maybe they didn't deserve to lose the game. It will be a tough game for us for sure."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chelsea – Joao Pedro

Joao Pedro has been involved in four goals in his two Premier League starts against Spurs (four goals, one assist), netting Chelsea’s winner at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the reverse fixture this season.

Tottenham – Mathys Tel

Tel scored a brilliant goal in Spurs' 1-1 draw with Leeds United last time out.

He has been involved in goals in successive Premier League games (one goal, one assist) for the second time in the competition, and the first since April last season, with goals against Southampton and Wolves.

MATCH PREDICTION – CHELSEA WIN

Chelsea have won 38 Premier League games against Tottenham. It’s the most they have beaten an opponent in the competition, while Spurs have only lost more against Manchester United (40).

The Blues have also won their last five league games against Spurs, only winning more in a row against them between January 2000 and March 2002 (six).

However, Chelsea are winless in their last seven Premier League games (D1 L6), last having a longer run between December 1994 and February 1995 (10).

Tottenham have won their last two Premier League away games, last winning more consecutively between September and November 2020 (four).

Nevertheless, Spurs have won just one of their last 35 away league games against Chelsea (D11 L23), a 3-1 win in April 2018 under Mauricio Pochettino.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Chelsea – 48.3%

Draw – 24%

Tottenham – 27.7%