Wrexham v Chelsea live: Hollywood owners hope for FA Cup upset against Premier League giants | OneFootball

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'This is what the FA Cup is all about' - Rosenior relishing trip to Hollywood-owned Wrexham

Wrexham host Chelsea in the FA Cup fifth round as the Welsh club look to continue their astonishing rise under Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac.

The arrival of Premier League giants Chelsea to the historic Racecourse Ground could be a taste of what is to come for Wrexham as they battle for promotion from the Championship, where they occupy a play-off position.

Wrexham were still in National League three years ago but three successive promotions have brought them to the verge of the big time, while Phil Parkinson’s team are also contesting their first FA Cup fifth-round tie since 1997.

A place in the quarter-finals is up for grabs but they will be huge underdogs against Chelsea, who are fresh off from beating fellow Champions League hopefuls Aston Villa 4-1 to earn their best result yet under Liam Rosenior.

Wrexham v Chelsea: The road to the fifth round

Wrexham

Third round: vs Nottingham Forest, 3-3, won 4-3 on pens

Fourth round: vs Ipswich, 1-0

(AP)

Chelsea

Third round: vs Charlton, 1-5

Fourth round: vs Hull, 0-4

(AP)

Jamie Braidwood7 March 2026 17:30

Liam Rosenior has 'watched a few' episodes of Welcome to Wrexham

Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior admitted he has enjoyed following Wrexham’s rise via their documentary series 'Welcome to Wrexham', which charts the club's progress under the ownership of Hollywood pair Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac.

"I've seen a few (episodes)," said Rosenior. "When you see a club grow, develop and come up through the leagues, it's a great story.

"I think Phil [Parkinson] does an incredible job. The position they're in in the league as well. We know it's going to be a really difficult game. It's a club that's on the rise, there's a good energy and a good vibe around them.”

(Jacob King/PA Wire)

Wrexham's 'everything to gain, nothing to lose' mindset

After consecutive promotions, Wrexham are the in-form team in the Championship, up into the play-off places and on a run of three straight wins. The Premier League may be the ultimate goal, but Phil Parkinson says the FA Cup is not a distraction.

"When we beat Ipswich (in the fourth round) we spoke to the lads about putting the Chelsea game on the backburner, concentrate on the league form," Parkinson said. "We go into this weekend with an 'everything to gain, nothing to lose' mindset, but also in a strong position in the league.

"This is the next stage for us against a team of Chelsea's quality. The main thing on the night is to bring our best performance, but also for ourselves, to see where we are individually and collectively against a team of this standing."