Liam Rosenior’s era as Chelsea head coach officially begins on Saturday when the Blues make a short trip across London to take on Charlton Athletic at The Valley in the third round of the FA Cup.
The Addicks battled to a 2-2 home draw with Blackburn Rovers in their last outing and currently sit 19th with 29 points from 25 games in the Championship.
[Chelsea fell to a disappointing 2-1 Premier League defeat at Fulham](https://thesportstoday.com/2026/01/07/fulham-secure-rare-derby-win-over-10-man-chelsea/) in the West London derby on Wednesday.
**Match preview**
This is the first meeting between Charlton and Chelsea since a February 2007 Premier League encounter, won 1-0 by the Blues. The Addicks have lost eight of their last 11 in all competitions against their London rivals (W1 D2).
Chelsea have faced Charlton twice before in the FA Cup, winning both games 3-0 — in the fourth round in 1962/63 and the third round in 1994/95.
The Addicks have been eliminated in each of their last five FA Cup third-round ties, last progressing to the fourth round in the 2013/14 campaign, knocking out Oxford United in a replay.
Chelsea have progressed from 61 of their last 63 FA Cup ties against sides from a lower division, including their last 22 in a row. The two exceptions in this 63-tie sequence were against Barnsley in the 2007/08 quarter-final and in the 2014/15 fourth round against Bradford City.
Chelsea’s João Pedro has been involved in seven goals in his last four starts in the FA Cup (6 goals, 1 assist), coming while he was playing for Watford and Brighton.
**Team news**
**Charlton Athletic**
Kayne Ramsay, Onel Hernandez, Josh Edwards and Matty Godden are sidelined with injuries.
**Chelsea**
Marc Cucurella will serve his one-match ban after he was sent off in the midweek defeat to Fulham.
While long-term absentees Levi Colwill, Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo are unavailable due to injuries.
**Predicted line-ups**
**Charlton Athletic**: Kaminski, Gillesphey, Jones, Bell, Bree, Docherty, Coventry, Carey, Campbell, Leaburn, Kelman.
**Chelsea**: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Fofana, Badiashile, Hato, Caicedo, Santos, Gittens, Estevao, Garnacho, George.