So, Calum McFarlane has the wheel at Stamford Bridge for the rest of this wild 2025/26 season. After Enzo Maresca’s departure and the brief, turbulent spell under the previous interim, the pressure is on. This squad is stacked with talent and is among the youngest in the Premier League. But raw potential doesn’t win you games on its own. As McFarlane looks to steady the ship and build something coherent, there are some classic traps he needs to sidestep. Let’s break down the top five tactical mistakes he absolutely must avoid.
1. Forcing a High Line Without the Pressing Structure
It’s tempting to look at this young, athletic backline—Levi Colwill, Reece James, and co.—and think, “Let’s push up and compress the game.” But a high defensive line without a coordinated press is just an invitation for through balls. We’ve seen Chelsea get caught out repeatedly this season when the midfield doesn’t apply pressure in sync. Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez can cover ground, but if the forward line doesn’t engage, the opposition’s playmaker has all the time in the world to slip a runner in behind.
The fix isn’t to drop deep—that wastes the energy of players like Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro—but to drill a clear pressing trigger. If the ball goes to a full-back, everyone shifts. If it goes back to the keeper, the front three need to sprint. McFarlane can’t let this become a half-hearted, reactive mess.
2. Overloading the Left Flank and Ignoring Balance
With Marc Cucurella bombing forward and players like Alejandro Garnacho or Estevao Willian drifting inside, it’s easy for Chelsea to become left-heavy. Maresca’s early season setup sometimes looked like the right side was an afterthought. The problem? Opponents just double up on the left, force a turnover, and then have a free run at a stretched defense.
McFarlane needs to ensure that when the left side pushes up, the right-sided midfielder or full-back tucks in to provide cover. Pedro Neto’s pace on the right is a weapon, but only if he’s not isolated. A simple rule: if Cucurella is in the final third, James or the right winger must be ready to slot into a back three. Balance isn’t boring; it’s survival.
3. Playing Liam Delap as a Target Man Without Service
Liam Delap has been a revelation up front, but he’s not a traditional hold-up striker who thrives on long balls. He wants to run in behind, link on the half-turn, and get into the box early. The mistake would be to treat him like a static number nine, lumping balls up to him while the midfield waits 30 yards away.
If McFarlane goes long, he needs runners—Enzo breaking from deep, Palmer drifting into half-spaces, Garnacho cutting inside. Otherwise, Delap ends up wrestling two center-backs with no support, and possession just comes straight back. The solution is to use him as a mover, not a battering ram. Quick combinations in the final third, not hopeful punts.
4. Neglecting Set-Piece Defensive Structure
This is a silent killer. Chelsea’s defensive record from set pieces has been patchy this season, and with a young squad, concentration can waver. A single corner conceded can undo 80 minutes of good work. McFarlane’s predecessor didn’t prioritize this, and it showed in some dropped points.
The interim manager needs to assign clear zonal responsibilities and make sure his tallest players—Colwill, Caicedo, maybe even Delap—are positioned to attack the ball, not just stand around. A quick fix is to drill a routine where the first man always attacks the near post. It sounds simple, but it’s often ignored. One goal conceded from a set piece per game is a disaster waiting to happen.
5. Over-relying on Cole Palmer to Solve Everything
Cole Palmer has been a standout performer this season, often dragging the team forward. But there’s a danger of becoming too predictable. “Give it to Palmer and hope.” When he’s double-marked or has an off day, the attack can grind to a halt. McFarlane must avoid the trap of making everything run through one player.
The solution is to spread the creative load. Enzo has chipped in with goals from midfield. Estevao’s dribbling, Garnacho’s directness, and Joao Pedro’s link-up all offer different threats. If McFarlane can rotate the focal point of attacks—sometimes letting Palmer drift, sometimes using him as a decoy—the team becomes far harder to defend against. Don’t let the system become a one-man show.
When the Problem Needs a Specialist
Some tactical issues can’t be fixed with a training ground session. If McFarlane finds that the squad’s pressing triggers are fundamentally broken—players not reading the same cues after multiple weeks—that’s a deeper structural problem. Similarly, if set-piece chaos persists despite clear instructions, it might point to a lack of leadership on the pitch. In those cases, the interim manager should lean on his coaching staff to run specialized drills, not just hope the next match fixes it. Sometimes, a fresh voice in the video room is what’s needed, not a new formation.
McFarlane has a golden opportunity to show he can handle a squad this talented. Avoiding these five mistakes won’t guarantee a top-four finish, but it will give Chelsea a fighting chance. The fans at Stamford Bridge are patient when they see a clear plan—they just don’t want the same old chaos. Keep it structured, keep it balanced, and let the young stars shine. For more on his attacking ideas, check out our breakdown of McFarlane’s attacking patterns and the full story of why Chelsea changed manager three times this season.