Wrexham centre-back Max Cleworth (Image: PA)
Wrexham centre-back Max Cleworth (Image: PA)
MAX CLEWORTH is no stranger to facing Chelsea but the centre-back admits it will more special when there's something riding on the FA Cup tie against the Premier League giants.
Phil Parkinson's side take on the Blues in the FA Cup fifth round at The Racecourse on Saturday, with the winners progressing to the quarter-finals of the famous competition.
The teams have met twice in recent years during pre-season tours in America.
Chelsea won 5-0 in July 2023 in the first friendly but 12 months later, Enzo Maresca's first game in charge of the Stamford Bridge outfit ended with a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Wrexham who led 2-1 at one stage through Luke Bolton and Jack Marriott.
Cleworth was involved in both games and the 23-year-old is looking forward to facing the Blues - now managed by Liam Rosenior - in a competitive fixture.
"Obviously Chelsea's a massive club, one of the biggest clubs in the world, so for us to be able to test ourselves against them is something we've been able to do in pre-season," said the defender.
"But it's never quite the same as it in terms of having a real competitive game.
"It'll be really good to test ourselves and hopefully one that the fans can enjoy."
Wrexham reached this stage of the competition for the sixth time in the club's history after beating Championship rivals Ipswich 1-0 at home.
The players watched the draw in a hotel the day before Wrexham continued their play-off push away at Bristol City and it got the seal of approval from Cleworth.
"We were watching it together in the hotel at Bristol, so it was quite nice to be doing that as a squad," he said.
"It's a good draw and it'll be another good occasion.
"That's what you hope for in the FA Cup, to get a big tie either at home or away."
Cleworth was rested for the third round win against Premier League strugglers Nottingham Forest but he was back in the side for the victory over Ipswich.
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That win came a week after Wrexham lost 2-0 at home to Millwall in the league when Cleworth broke the record for making the most appearances for the club under Parkinson.
The Reds' boss handed Cleworth his senior debut against Solihull Moors in August 2021 and he has played his part in a record-breaking three successive promotions.
Against Millwall, Cleworth made his 173rd appearance for the club under Parkinson, surpassing striker Paul Mullin's tally of 172, and the centre-back says he is grateful for the faith shown in him by his manager.
"There's been a lot of lads who've been trusted under the gaffer, and to be one of them is a nice thing to have," said Cleworth.
"It's not something I've looked at too much, but it's a nice thing.
"Certainly over the last couple of years, I've managed to play a lot.
"At the start when the gaffer came in, I was a little bit in and out, that's part of having the big squads which we've always had.
"You don't take your place for granted because people can come in and do just as good a job.
"I just try to keep working hard and I'm obviously thankful for the gaffer putting his trust in me."