McFarlane, our Under-21s head coach, has overseen the first-team squad for the previous five days and took charge of our 1-1 draw away to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

He will be in the dugout again this evening as the Blues take on Fulham at Craven Cottage. Liam Rosenior, appointed Chelsea head coach yesterday (Tuesday), will then begin working with the squad at Cobham ahead of our FA Cup third-round tie with Charlton Athletic.

McFarlane has enjoyed his experience of working with the senior side and believes the unity shown by those in the Chelsea squad has, and will continue to be, important across the rest of the season.

He explained: ‘My first day [overseeing the team] started by having a meeting with some of the more senior players in the group and explaining to them that I needed them as much as they needed me in these moments.

'We are all together was the message and what they’ve done is uphold the standards, making sure the focus and energy is right, making sure the staff are comfortable with them and they are comfortable with us, and I mentioned it after the game but some of them who weren’t available against Manchester City wanted to travel and be a part of the changing room.

'It’s little things like that which, in times of uncertainty, show we are all in it together and we need to fight and compete. I think that is a big part of why we were able to produce that second-half performance [against Manchester City].

'You can talk about tactics and the like, if the players are not committed, then it could go another way.’

The togetherness within the group was emphasised after full-time at the Etihad Stadium, where Blues skipper Reece James ensured McFarlane received applause from supporters following our hard-earned and deserved point.

'Reece has played a big role as captain [over the past week],' McFarlane said. 'Tosin has played a massive role with his leadership qualities as one of the older players. Marc Cucurella, Robert Sanchez, Enzo Fernandez, Pedro Neto, the whole group, really, have been good.

'It’s been such a smooth transition, and it’s been really enjoyable to work with them.’