Wrexham faces Chelsea in the FA Cup fifth round at the Racecourse Ground, with manager Phil Parkinson emphasizing belief in his team's potential for an upset. Chelsea's Liam Rosenior praises Wrexham's rise but is focused on avoiding a giantkilling. The match highlights Wrexham's rapid ascent under owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
Wrexham, currently in the Championship play-off places after three consecutive promotions since their 2021 takeover by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, hosts Premier League side Chelsea in the FA Cup fifth round. The game at the Racecourse Ground offers Wrexham a chance to reach the quarter-finals for only the fourth time in their history.
Phil Parkinson, Wrexham's manager, insists his team will approach the match with confidence despite being underdogs. "You’ve got to go into every game believing and if not, we might as well not turn up," Parkinson said. He acknowledged Chelsea's strength, having watched them defeat Aston Villa 4-1 earlier in the week, but stressed the importance of an underdog mentality. Parkinson views the fixture as a celebration of the club's journey and urged fans to enjoy the occasion against top-class opposition.
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior lauded Wrexham's progress under Parkinson, describing it as a "great story" with "good energy and good vibe." However, Rosenior is determined to secure victory, noting the FA Cup as Chelsea's most realistic shot at silverware this season. "It is why I am here. It is what you dream of as a player, coach or manager," he said. Chelsea advanced to this round with wins over Charlton and Hull, and Rosenior highlighted the need to match their application from those games.
Brazilian forward Joao Pedro shone in the recent Aston Villa win with a hat-trick, contributing 14 goals and eight assists in 29 Premier League appearances. Chelsea also receives injury boosts, with Romeo Lavia potentially starting, and positive updates on Willian Estevao and Jamie Gittens. For Wrexham, the tie kicks off a busy week including league matches against Hull and rivals Swansea.
Parkinson called it "a great week for us," reflecting the rewards of the club's hard work to reach this stage.
