Life at Stamford Bridge moves fast. Seriously fast. If you blinked last week, you might have missed a managerial change, a chaotic cup tie against Arsenal, and enough injury drama to fill a medical textbook. If you’re asking "when do chelsea play next," you aren’t just looking for a date—you’re trying to keep up with the Liam Rosenior era, which is already off to a breakneck start.
Actually, the "next" game just happened. Chelsea squeezed past Brentford 2-0 today, Saturday, January 17th. It was a massive result for Rosenior, marking his first Premier League win since taking the reins from Enzo Maresca. Goals from some of the usual suspects secured the points, but the real story was the return of the big guns to the starting lineup.
The Upcoming Fixture List: Where the Blues Head Next
The schedule doesn't offer much breathing room. Because Chelsea is fighting on four fronts—Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and the Carabao Cup—the games are coming every few days.
Here is what the immediate horizon looks like for the west London side:
Wednesday, January 21, 2026: Chelsea vs. Pafos
This is a midweek Champions League clash at Stamford Bridge. Kick-off is set for 20:00. It’s one of those games where Chelsea is the heavy favorite, but in Europe, nothing is ever quite as simple as it looks on paper.
Sunday, January 25, 2026: Crystal Palace vs. Chelsea
A trip to Selhurst Park is always a bit of a scrap. This Premier League match starts at 14:00. Palace usually finds a way to make life miserable for visiting "Big Six" teams, so expect a physical battle.
Wednesday, January 28, 2026: Napoli vs. Chelsea
This is the big one. A flight to Italy for a 20:00 Champions League kick-off at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. The atmosphere will be intense. If you want to see where this Chelsea team really stands under new management, this is the barometer.
Saturday, January 31, 2026: Chelsea vs. West Ham United
Rounding out the month with a London derby. It’s a 17:30 start at the Bridge. These games are rarely pretty, but they are always high stakes for the fans.
Why the Schedule is So Clogged Right Now
The Carabao Cup semi-final situation is basically looming over everything. Just a few days ago, Chelsea lost a heartbreaker 3-2 to Arsenal in the first leg. It was a wild game where Alejandro Garnacho scored twice, but Ben White, Viktor Gyokeres, and Martin Zubimendi gave the Gunners the advantage.
The second leg is set for Tuesday, February 3, 2026. That match is at the Emirates Stadium. It’s the game every Chelsea fan has circled in red. Overturning a one-goal deficit away from home is a massive ask, but it’s the quickest route to silverware this season.
Injuries and the "Rosenior Factor"
Kinda crazy how much of a difference two players make. Reece James and Cole Palmer both missed the Arsenal defeat due to what the club called "minor tweaks" and a bit of a virus going around the training ground.
They both returned for the Brentford win today, and the team looked completely different. James provides that stability on the right that Josh Acheampong—while talented—just can't match yet. And Palmer? He’s the pulse of the attack. Without him, the transition from midfield to the front three feels clunky.
Honestly, the biggest concern right now is Estevao Willian. He missed the Brentford game with illness. He’s been a spark plug this season, and fans are desperate to see him back on the pitch for the Napoli and Arsenal games.
Transfer Talk: Will the Squad Change Before the Next Match?
The January window is wide open, and with a new manager, the rumor mill is spinning at 100mph.
- Jeremy Jacquet: There are loud whispers that Chelsea is pushing to sign this 20-year-old defender from Rennes. With Levi Colwill still out long-term with an ACL injury, the backline needs reinforcements.
- Departures: We’ve already seen some movement. Facundo Buonanotte went back to Brighton after his loan, and Leo Castledine made a permanent move to Middlesbrough.
Don't expect a 2023-style spending spree, but Rosenior clearly wants "his" players in certain positions.
How to Watch the Next Few Games
If you aren't lucky enough to have tickets to the Bridge, you're probably tethered to your TV. Most of the Premier League games are split between Sky Sports and TNT Sports in the UK. The Champions League matches against Pafos and Napoli will be on TNT Sports.
For the US crowd, Peacock and USA Network remain the go-to for league games, while Paramount+ handles the European nights.
Actionable Tips for Following Chelsea This Month
- Sync your calendar: The dates for the Napoli (Jan 28) and Arsenal (Feb 3) games are subject to slight shifts for TV, so check the official Chelsea app 48 hours before kick-off.
- Monitor the Carabao Cup Second Leg: If you’re looking for tickets, the away allocation for the Emirates on February 3rd will be gold dust.
- Watch the Injury Reports: Pay close attention to the Friday press conferences. Rosenior has been surprisingly cagey about Palmer’s groin issues, which have been a recurring theme all season.
- Check the Champions League Table: Because of the new format, every goal against Pafos and Napoli matters for the final coefficient ranking.