McFarlane is no stranger to the home dugout. Having already been part of the coaching staff previously under Liam Rosenior, the 40-year-old acknowledges this will feel different - but not unfamiliar - as he prepares to take his seat in the home dugout against Nottingham Forest.

Across our Academy and, more recently, with the first team since January, the interim head coach feels ready for Monday afternoon as he prepares to take charge of the Blues against Nottingham Forest in another crucial Premier League game, with three points vitally important for both sides but for very different reasons.

‘I’m really looking forward to it,’ Calum expressed ahead of the game. ‘We’ve got a really tough game as Nottingham Forest are a really good side. We’ll be well prepared for it, but it will be a great honour to lead a game at Stamford Bridge.

‘Obviously, I've been involved in games at Stamford Bridge as part of the backroom staff. It might have a different feel leading the team, but it will be a great honour in front of the Chelsea fans and we’ll be looking for a similar level of performance as we did at Wembley.’

And Calum knows it will be crucial to have the backing of the supporters from the first minute against Vitor Pereira's in-form Reds, as the season enters its decisive stage.

He explained: ‘We need the fans. We need the crowd to bring that positive energy, the right energy and get behind the team. We all want to do well for this club, and we know that there's still a lot to play for – a cup final, and we can still qualify for the Champions League.

‘We want to win every single game. We've got two more games at Stamford Bridge, and we want to win as many games as possible – and we need to.’