Second-placed City host us at the Etihad on Sunday evening and if the Blues are to start 2026 with a positive result, we will need to be at our best against a side who have won eight home games in a row.

Under-21 head coach McFarlane, who has stepped up to help prepare the first team following Enzo Maresca's departure on New Year's Day, pointed out our displays and results in the second half of last year - against the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and Arsenal - show the capabilities of this Chelsea team. It is those levels he wants them to reach at the Etihad.

‘My message to them is to bring the best version of themselves and ultimately put in a good performance on Sunday,’ said McFarlane, when asked if he had nothing to lose heading into the match.

‘It’s about Chelsea versus City, two top sides. We will go there and compete. I wouldn’t say we have nothing to lose.

‘We have seen how this team can do in big moments so we are really looking forward to that challenge. It’s about them producing the level of performance they’ve done before against top sides.’

McFarlane and his fellow coaches’ job before the game is helping the players prepare so they have the ‘best opportunity to perform’ against a side of City’s quality.

An important aspect of that preparation is studying the opposition team, something McFarlane has been able to do.

‘We have had time to get our heads around how Man City have been playing and what their games have looked like,’ he said.

‘We are quite lucky they played on Thursday [against Sunderland] as well so we could watch that game. We have had a chance to look and put some ideas together. It’s about giving the players the support they need to execute a performance.’