Chelsea fans are holding their breath: Can Liam Rosenior, the new manager, turn the tide after a rocky start to 2026? His first test? An FA Cup clash against Charlton Athletic. You can catch all the action live right here.
The beginning of the year has been nothing short of chaotic for the Blues. After Chelsea and Enzo Maresca abruptly parted ways on New Year's Day, interim manager Calum McFarlane stepped in. McFarlane managed to secure a dramatic, last-gasp draw against Manchester City. But the temporary high was quickly followed by a stinging defeat midweek at the hands of Fulham.
Rosenior, fresh from his previous managerial role at Strasbourg, witnessed that Fulham loss from the stands. Now, he's trading the spectator's seat for the touchline as Chelsea faces Charlton in their FA Cup opener.
On paper, it looks like a relatively gentle introduction for Rosenior. Charlton Athletic are currently struggling, sitting 19th in the Championship and without a win since December 20th. It's easy to assume this will be a comfortable victory for Chelsea, right? But here's where it gets controversial...
The FA Cup has a knack for delivering upsets. Just look at Macclesfield's stunning victory over Crystal Palace earlier on Saturday! It served as a stark reminder that no team, no matter how dominant, can afford to take anything for granted in this competition. The magic of the FA Cup is precisely that: the underdog always has a chance. And this is the part most people miss...
Could Charlton, despite their current form, pull off a shock victory against a Chelsea side still finding its footing under new management? Is this 'easy' debut actually a potential banana skin for Rosenior? Will Chelsea's star players rise to the occasion, or will the pressure of a new era and the FA Cup's unpredictable nature prove too much? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
