Preview: FA Cup Quarter-Final – Chelsea vs Port Vale

Chelsea welcomes League One side Port Vale to Stamford Bridge this evening for a Emirates FA Cup quarter-final tie, with kick-off scheduled for 17:15 BST.

The Blues, currently sitting sixth in the Premier League, enter the match with silverware firmly in their sights after their UEFA Champions League campaign ended earlier in the season. Victory tonight would book Chelsea’s place in the semi-finals of the famous competition for the first time since reaching the final in 2022, and mark a significant step towards ending an eight-year wait for an FA Cup triumph (last won in 2018).

Head Coach **Liam Rosenior** said: “This is a huge opportunity for us. The FA Cup has a special place in English football, and reaching the semi-finals at Stamford Bridge would mean a lot to everyone connected with the club. We know Port Vale have earned their place here by knocking out strong opposition, and we will treat them with the utmost respect. Our focus is on delivering a strong performance and progressing in the competition.”

### Team News and Selection

Enzo Fernández will not be available for selection following a club disciplinary decision. The Argentina international has been ruled out of this evening’s match (and next weekend’s Premier League fixture against Manchester City) after comments made during the recent international break. Fernández continues to train with the first-team squad at Cobham.

Rosenior added: “We’ve addressed the situation internally. Enzo remains part of the group in training, but he won’t feature tonight. We move forward as a squad and concentrate fully on the task at hand.”

The Chelsea head coach is expected to make a number of changes from recent Premier League outings, balancing squad rotation with the need for a positive result. Young talents and fringe players are likely to be given opportunities to impress, while key figures such as Cole Palmer (if fit) and others will be available.

Port Vale, currently in League One, have enjoyed a memorable run to the quarter-finals, including a notable scalp against Premier League opposition. They arrive at Stamford Bridge as underdogs but with the freedom to express themselves and cause an upset in front of a sell-out home crowd.

 Match Details

- **Date**: Saturday, 4 April 2026  

- **Kick-off**: 17:15 BST  

- **Venue**: Stamford Bridge, London  

- **Competition**: Emirates FA Cup – Quarter-Final  

- **Broadcast**: Live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, and TNT Sports 1 (UK). International coverage available via various platforms.

Chelsea hold a strong historical record in home FA Cup ties against lower-division sides and have won their last six quarter-final matches in the competition. However, Rosenior has stressed the importance of maintaining concentration and professionalism throughout the 90 minutes (and beyond, if extra time is required).

Director of Football and Technical Director **Paul Winstanley** commented: “The FA Cup remains a priority for the club. We have a talented squad capable of competing on multiple fronts, and we are determined to give this competition the respect it deserves. Supporters can expect a committed performance as we aim to reach Wembley once again.”

Tickets for the match sold out quickly, reflecting the strong support from Chelsea fans eager to see their team progress deep into the competition.

Chelsea Football Club would like to thank all supporters for their continued backing and encourages everyone at Stamford Bridge this evening to create a vibrant atmosphere as we chase silverware.

Further updates, including team line-ups, will be available via the club’s official channels closer to kick-off.