MATCH PREVIEW: Charlton Athletic vs Chelsea - Saturday 10th January 2026 - 8pm Kick-Off

FA Cup 3rd Round
Charlton Athletic vs Chelsea
Saturday 10th January 2026 - 8pm Kick-Off
Referee: Chris Kavanagh

Introduction
Phew... a break from the Championship is a welcome sight at the moment. The month of December, rolling into January is always a brutal time in the Fixture List for teams and this year was no different. A journey that involved travelling to the far East of England, to the very South of England, and then one of the furthest away trips to the North of England, all within the space of nine days. Up next is a reward of sorts, for our performances on and off the pitch in 2025, this coming Saturday we welcome Chelsea to the Valley and an encounter in the Third Round of the FA Cup... Given what's happened the last week... I've got a feeling other factors could take centre stage in the dugout this Saturday night.

Name: Chelsea (Premier League) - Manager: Leroy Rosenior
Ground: Stamford Bridge
Last Season in the FA Cup: Fourth Round

That is not our problem though... and you know I thought there was a bit of unfairness which I feel needs correcting. When Charlton Athletic were paired with Chelsea, there were a few comments of: "Who" uttered around Social Media. I mean when you're named after an affluent London Borough, when in the summer, you win the World Championship Series of the Universe (Otherwise known as the Club World Cup), trumping everything that got thrown your way... You think that people would know who Chelsea actually are?

Lets admit one thing though, its alright facing off against some of the powerhouses in English Football, but attempting to replicate that on a cold Saturday night at the Valley, when a bunch of sand has been dumped on the pitch beforehand... Well that's another prospect entirely... Chelsea though have already faced EFL sides this season (albeit in the League Cup), yet those games have been against League One / League Two opposition. Of course we cant expect many Chelsea superstars to make an appearance, they're still in contention across four competitions from the Premier League to the Champions League, so it will be an opportunity for them to rest the likes of World Cup winner: Enzo Fernandes. But there will be plenty of names for new Chelsea Manager; Leroy Rosenior to choose from, after all their squad depth makes ours look like a five a side team in comparison.

Of course, its going to be a massive requirement for the Addicks to pull off any kind of result against a team like Chelsea, and with no replays, the result must be decided on the night. Chelsea haven't lost to a side, that were for a short while were more than problematic, in eight appearances, although two of those encounters ended in draws, including our infamous penalty shootout win in the League Cup at Stamford Bridge in 2005. Chelsea did lose 1-0 at Championship side, Middlesbrough in the League Cup last season so we do have the slimmest of chances. Although you do need to go back eleven years to 2015, and Chelsea's famous 4-2 defeat in the Fourth Round against Bradford City, to find their last defeat against Lower League opposition in this competition.

Charlton Team News
Cup games... Charlton Athletic... Team Selections - Could you possibly name a more contentious trio?

I mean you only need to go back to the reaction ahead of the Cambridge game in the League Cup, to understand that there are going to be a lot of upset fans in the stands, especially having paid around £38 for a single ticket, only to see the likes of Josh Laqeretabua, Keenan Gough and Kai Enslin lining up in the heart of the defence.

Given the daunting task ahead of us, I cant see Nathan Jones throwing in the towel that drastically, after all it will have been a week since the draw at Blackburn Rovers, and will be another week before next League fixture. Meaning that I can see a number of the first team starting, to keep up their sharpness... Charlie Kelman for example, who could use the extra game time as he continues building up his fitness... Meanwhile it will also be a good opportunity to rest those who are in desperate need of a break, the last thing we'd want is to lose Lloyd Jones for example, in a match that has nothing to do with the ultimate target come the end of the season.

Lets be honest though... I cant see any players wanting the "rest" and missing this particular game.

Kaminski
Gough - Jones - Gillesphey
Bree - Coventry - Costello - Bell
Carey
Kelman - Campbell

Substitutes: Mannion - Apter - Docherty - Knibbs - Berry - Leaburn - Fullah - Olaofe - Godden