A new chapter begins for Chelsea on Saturday night as Liam Rosenior takes charge for the first time in an FA Cup third-round trip to The Valley.
Appointed on a six-and-a-half-year deal following the departure of Enzo Maresca, Rosenior inherits a Blues side that has recently struggled for consistency, winning just one of their last nine matches. They face a Charlton Athletic team currently 19th in the Championship and looking to end a decade-long wait for a significant cup upset.
While the Addicks have historically struggled against their West London neighbours, the arrival of a new manager often brings the “magic of the cup” into sharp focus for lower-league hosts. With the pressure on Rosenior to make an immediate impact, this London derby represents a high-stakes introduction to his tenure.
Charlton Athletic vs Chelsea – FA Cup Preview and Team News
- Date: Saturday, 10 January 2026
- Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
- Venue: The Valley, London
- Referee: Christopher Kavanagh
- VAR: Paul Tierney
- Last Meeting: Charlton 0–1 Chelsea, 3 February 2007, Premier League
Team News
Charlton Athletic
Manager Nathan Jones faces significant selection issues, with Kayne Ramsay and Onel Hernandez both ruled out due to hamstring injuries. Josh Edwards (ankle) and Matty Godden (knee) are also unavailable. The Addicks are expected to remain in their preferred back-three system, with Sonny Carey—the club’s top scorer this season with five goals—anchoring the midfield.
Chelsea
Liam Rosenior is expected to rotate his squad for his debut. Marc Cucurella will serve a one-match ban after his midweek red card against Fulham, while Levi Colwill (ACL), Romeo Lavia (thigh), and Dario Essugo (thigh) remain long-term absentees. Mykhaylo Mudryk is also unavailable due to suspension. Filip Jorgensen could replace Robert Sanchez in goal, while João Pedro is pushing to lead the line.
Form
Charlton Athletic
Charlton enter this tie looking to break a poor run in the competition, having been eliminated in their last five FA Cup third-round appearances. Their last progression to the fourth round came back in the 2013-14 season. Notably, the Addicks have historically found Chelsea to be a difficult opponent, losing eight of their last 11 games against them in all competitions.
Chelsea
Despite their recent league struggles, Chelsea remain cup specialists against lower-tier sides. They have progressed from 61 of their last 63 FA Cup ties against lower-league opposition, including their last 22 in a row. Furthermore, striker João Pedro boasts an exceptional record in this competition, with seven goal involvements (6 goals, 1 assist) in his last four FA Cup starts.
Predicted Lineups
Charlton Athletic predicted XI: Kaminski; Gillesphey, Jones, Bell; Bree, Docherty, Coventry, Carey, Campbell; Leaburn, Kelman
Chelsea predicted XI: Jorgensen; Acheampong, Fofana, Badiashile, Hato; Caicedo, Santos; Gittens, Estevao, Garnacho; Pedro
How to watch Charlton vs Chelsea?
The match will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+, with coverage starting at 19:30 GMT ahead of the 20:00 GMT kick-off.
Read more- Five of the biggest FA Cup third round upsets
See Also- Howe sets sights on ‘magical’ FA Cup success with Newcastle
