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The hotly-anticipated FA Cup clash between Wrexham and Chelseawill witness the underdogs, supported by Hollywood, aiming for another major upset in North Wales on Saturday.

Chelsea needs to be cautious here. Wrexham have been demonstrating strong performance in recent weeks. Since Boxing Day, they have lost just two out of their 15 games, and they managed to defeatNottingham Forestin the third round of the FA Cup, demonstrating their ability to match top-tier teams.

Chelsea have been treading more carefully – before their win overAston Villa, they had only earned one point from their last two games. If they aim to secure a position in theChampions Leaguenext season, they will have to secure a few more victories in thePremier League.

They have also received seven red cards – four more than any other team in the Premier League. The Blues must avoid any poor conduct at the Racecourse.

Both teams enter this fifth-round match with more significant challenges ahead. Following a conclusive win over Aston Villa in the Premier League, Chelsea’s focus will be on matters beyond the FA Cup, as they aim for the Champions League.

Wrexham is aiming for a historic achievement. Following three promotions in a row, their primary objective is to enter the Premier League for the first time. A fourth straight promotion would secure their place in the history books.

Phil Parkinson and Liam Rosenior will be in charge of their respective teams. Parkinson has been part of Wrexham since July 2021 and has led the team through several impressive moments. Another win today would place among his finest achievements. Having assumed the managerial position at Chelsea in early January of this year, Rosenior aims to leverage the Villa victory and create some positive momentum following a few challenging games.

 

Trophy haul

Chelsea’s collection of trophies is impressive. The FA Cup holds a special place, as they have claimed it eight times overall, with their last victory in 2018.

They also have two Champions League titles, six league championships at the highest level, and the FIFA Club World Cup from last year. All in all, Chelsea has 34 significant trophies in their history. Not bad at all.

Although Wrexham’s collection of trophies might not match that of their Premier League rivals, the club boasts a deep and storied past. They have won the Welsh Cup an impressive 23 times, firmly establishing themselves as one of Wales’ most successful teams.

In recent years, Wrexham have won the Football League Trophy (2004–05), the FA Trophy (2012–13), and the National League title in 2022–23, marking the end of their 15-year stint outside the English Football League. No FA Cup victory yet, but perhaps this could be their turn.

What Chelsea must truly be jealous of is Wrexham’s decorated urinal, which features commemorative plaques and was given to Rob McElhenney by co-owner Ryan Reynolds. It holds a special position in a restroom at the Racecourse, and no other team in the UK can claim such an honor. Take that, Chelsea.

 

Money, money, money

Chelsea’s spending makes Wrexham’s expenses appear as if they belong to a modest local team, rather than one supported by Deadpool.

Chelsea’s overall team valuation is £1.01 billion, ranking third in the Premier League as per Transfermarkt. Midfielder Cole Palmer is the most expensive player, valued at approximately £104 million.

Wrexham’s team, which is modest in comparison, has an approximate value of £57.5 million, with their central defender Callum Doyle being the most valuable player at just under £7 million. This indicates that Chelsea’s squad is nearly 20 times more expensive than Wrexham’s.

 

The bigger fish

Where are Chelsea and Wrexham positioned in their respective leagues?

Wrexham are currently ranked sixth in the Championship. Their main focus is not the sentimental FA Cup, but instead the exciting possibility of achieving a fourth consecutive promotion.

The leading two teams, at the moment Coventry and Middlesbrough, secure automatic advancement. Wrexham occupy the last playoff position, nine points behind the second place.

The Championship is wide open, so Parkinson might look to rotate his team ahead of their crucial match against Hull City, another side vying for promotion, on Tuesday. They could focus on the promotion race and temporarily set aside the FA Cup.

Chelsea find themselves in a comparable situation. In the competitive battle to secure a spot in next season’s Champions League, fifth-placed Chelsea are closely following Aston Villa, trailing by just three points.

Rosenior might also aim to give his key players some rest, preserving their stamina for more significant challenges – specifically, the Champions League last-16 encounter against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.

If both teams are expected to make changes, it should be an exciting evening.

 

Popularity

Wrexham possesses undeniable star power. Ryan Reynolds’ ownership has brought the club into the limelight, even for those not typically interested in football. The Disney+ show ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ has established the club as a commercial entity.

The club’s Instagram account has 1.5 million followers, often showcasing their luxurious owners. They have an even higher number on TikTok, reaching 1.7 million.

Although it is the third-oldest professional football club globally, it’s hard not to think that its supporters likely have a lot to do with the Hollywood celebrities involved behind the scenes.

Chelsea definitely has no complaints about their social media impact. They have 44.7 million followers on Instagram and 22 million on TikTok, which means they’re clearly doing something effective. As one of the top clubs in England, their worldwide popularity is significant, and they have an opportunity to grow even more this summer with a pre-season trip to Australia.

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