Chelsea hope Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho return for FA Cup final
Chelsea interim head coach Calum McFarlane is optimistic that injured wingers Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho will be fit for next Saturday’s FA Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley.
The attacking duo missed recent Premier League fixtures against Nottingham Forest and Liverpool after sustaining minor injuries during training.
Their potential return would provide a significant boost to the Blues as they look to salvage silverware from a largely frustrating domestic campaign.
Fitness race for Wembley showdown
The West London outfit secured their spot in the showpiece event following a narrow semi-final victory over Leeds United earlier this month.
However, subsequent league results have effectively extinguished any lingering hopes of Champions League qualification.
McFarlane addressed the fitness of his wide players following Saturday’s hard-fought draw at Anfield.
“Yeah, we are very hopeful,” the interim boss explained.
“You have to take these things day by day. We’re hoping that they’ll be available, but we don’t know at this moment in time.”
“They’re going to get back into training. We’ll see how they feel, see how it looks. So, fingers crossed.”
Halting the league slide
The recent point secured on Merseyside proved crucial in arresting a dismal run of form for the Stamford Bridge side.
A prior defeat to Forest had marked a sixth consecutive top-flight loss.
That alarming slump left the team just one defeat shy of an unwanted club record established during the 1950s.
While relieved to halt the losing streak, the manager acknowledged that standards must rise ahead of their trip to the national stadium.
“This club needs to win games of football, and we haven’t done that today,” he admitted.
“We’re not happy with the form and some of the recent performances.”
“It would have been better with a win, but when you come to these places, it’s really difficult. So, yeah, it’s positive.”