FA Cup Third Round: Chelsea take on Chesterfield for the first time in 72 years

The FA Cup is a competition Chelsea have unrecognisably struggled to go the full distance in during recent times.

The London club had to settle for a runners-up medal sin the past two FA Cup campaigns, being put to the sword by Arsenal and then Leicester at Wembley.

Manager Thomas Tuchel will feel he can rectify the last two years of FA Cup disappointment, beginning with their Third Round tie against National League outfit Chesterfield Town.

The German will not want to join the list of managers knocked out at the Third Round stage with the club, the last time being the 1997/98 season under Ruud Gullit.

Chelsea’s comfortable 2–0 Carabao Cup Semi-Final first-leg victory over London-rivals Tottenham on Wednesday meant they extended their impressive run of form to one loss in 22 competitive matches. Those in blue, therefore, will be confident of avoiding the quintessential Cup banana skin in the shape of Chesterfield.

However, there have been a number of cup upsets over the years at Stamford Bridge, with Bristol City and Bradford the notable examples. But a win for Chesterfield on Saturday would unequivocally leapfrog the aforementioned two in the pecking order.

James Rowe’s side travel to the capital in fine form, sitting atop of the National League. Following relegation from the Football League in 2018, the Spireites are well on their way to returning after four long years away.

They are likely to attack this game with nothing to lose and the eternal optimism of achieving this year’s FA Cup giant-killing, though it is worth noting they have not made it past the Third Round since 2015.

Chesterfield will have to replicate their first-ever meeting with the Blues back in 1905. A 1-0 win in League Division Two represents their only victory over the Premier League giants. The Spireites haven’t won in their six encounters since.

Team News

Chelsea

Positive COVID-19 tests for Thiago Silva and N’Golo Kante mean they are both unavailable. Meanwhile, Edouard Mendy has been called up by Senegal to play in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Kai Havertz picked up a finger injury during their victory over Spurs midweek and joins Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah and Andreas Christensen on the sidelines.

The Blues are anticipated to make a flurry of changes with Timo Werner, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Callum Hudson-Odoi all likely to start, while youngsters Harvey Vale and Lewis Hall are also expected to be involved.

Chesterfield

Manager Rowe will be hoping defenders Laurence Maguire – who is the brother of Manchester United’s Harry – Luke Croll and Gavin Gunning will all be at his disposal for the trip to Stamford Bridge.

Meanwhile, Jeff King (knee) and Jack Clarke (hamstring) remain unavailable for selection.

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