After leaving his role as Southampton Under-21s head coach, McFarlane joined the Chelsea Academy in July and has been preparing his new squad for the season ahead.

He has already made a strong start, guiding the Under-21s through a positive pre-season that included victories over strong opposition in Preston North End, Stoke City and Brentford.

Attention has now turned to our huge opening fixture of the 2025/26 campaign, when the Blues will host reigning Premier League 2 champions Manchester City at Kingsmeadow on Monday night.

That game begins at 7pm and will be shown live on the official Chelsea website and the Chelsea Official App. Tickets are also available to purchase online here or at the stadium before kick-off.

Ahead of that first game of the season, we sat down with our Under-21s' new head coach to get to know him better.

Calum, how have you found settling into life at Cobham so far?

'It’s been a great couple of weeks. I’m really proud to be at a club like Chelsea. Over the last 10 to 20 years, the Academy has been at the forefront of elite youth development, producing successful teams and countless players who have gone on to make men's team appearances here, as well as across the Premier League and in Europe.

'This is a club with a rich history and people who have been here for a long time. They’ve all made me feel very welcome and helped make the transition smooth. Everyone has been supportive and made me feel part of the team right from the start.'

What have been your first impressions of the facilities here at the training ground?

'I’d been to Cobham a few times before, having played against Chelsea often, so I already knew the layout. But being here every day, you really see how everything is run to such a high standard. From the quality of the pitches to the off-pitch programmes the club provides, it all creates a fantastic environment and gives the players the best possible chance to succeed.'

How have you found meeting and working with the boys during these early weeks?

'From the start, I could see that we have a really good group of players. They are hungry, honest boys who want to do well. They’re still young and developing at this senior level, but they’ve been excellent to work with.

'Every training session has been competitive and committed. Off the pitch, I’ve enjoyed learning about their backstories and ambitions, which helps build relationships that are so important.

'That’s one thing I really emphasise - relationships. I’m very big on getting to know the person as well as the player. I’ve had individual meetings and lots of informal conversations to build that trust and connection.'

Reflecting on your experience at Southampton, how has that prepared you for this role?

'My time with Southampton Under-21s gave me a strong understanding of the day-to-day demands of Premier League 2 football. It taught me how to plan training, manage the squad and prepare players to step up when needed.

'As well, I gained valuable experience in supporting the men's team, understanding how the development squad fits into the wider club structure. Also, ensuring that our young players are ready to make the next step in their careers.'

The Academy schedule can be intense, with different competitions and fixtures to juggle. How do you manage that?

'We’re competing in multiple competitions, which is exciting! One of those is the UEFA Youth League, which for me is the pinnacle of youth football. It’s an additional challenge in an already busy schedule, but everyone here is excited to test themselves against the best in Europe.

'We also have the EFL Trophy, which is a fantastic opportunity for our young players to gain invaluable experience against senior sides. It really tests them physically and mentally.

'On top of that, we have our Premier League competitions, including the Premier League 2 campaign and the Premier League International Cup, both of which present different challenges and learning opportunities.

'Managing all of this requires creativity and careful planning with the schedule, ensuring that the lads are fully prepared, both physically and mentally, to perform at their best every few days.'

We’ve had a busy pre-season. How have the preparations gone?

'The pre-season games have been really valuable. Preston was my first match in charge, and it was a great test against Championship opposition. The boys were excellent and secured a great result.

'Stoke presented a different challenge with a less aggressive set-up, so we learned how to adapt against counter-attacking teams. Brentford came here and went toe-to-toe with us, which made for a very competitive game. Each match offered different lessons and takeaways.'

We kick off the new season with a fixture against Manchester City at Kingsmeadow. How are you feeling ahead of your first time in front of the home support?

'It’s a fantastic fixture to start with! City are a top side, the defending champions, and it’s the perfect test for us to begin the season.

'There’s always been healthy competition between Chelsea and City in youth football and we’re confident we can compete and get a positive result.

'For me personally, it’ll be special to have my first league game at Kingsmeadow in front of our supporters. I’m looking forward to being in the dugout and hopefully seeing a strong performance from the boys.'

Lastly, have you got a message for the boys ahead of the game?

'My message is simple. I want you all to be confident, brave and play without fear. Believe that we can beat anyone. That’s the attitude we will take into every game this season.'