Straight Outta Cobham: The Athletic FC's Chelsea show
The Athletic's Chelsea experts - Simon Johnson, Liam Twomey, Luke Bosher, Sam Parkin and Dom Fifield - are alongside host Matt Davies-Adams to bring you behind the scenes at Stamford Bridge. Expect unrivalled insight, honest opinion and stimulating debate.
Episodes
Does Alonso make Chelsea genuine challengers?
Do Chelsea head into the 2026-27 Premier League season as serious contenders for titles again?Matt Davies-Adams has got The Athletic's Liam Twomey and Luke Bosher alongside him for a look ahead to Monday's trip to Fulham as Xabi Alonso's reign in charge officially begins.Plus - a closer look at the players the Blues are still hoping to shift in the closing stages of the transfer window, some broad
Rogers' debut, emotional Alonso & Enzo's uncertain future
The new Premier League season begins in a week - and there's a sense of belief back at Stamford Bridge after Chelsea's 3-1 win over Real Sociedad in their final pre-season game.Matt Davies-Adams is joined by The Athletic's Simon Johnson and Luke Bosher for a look back on Xabi Alonso's victorious first game in front of the home fans in SW6.How well equipped are the Blues heading into Monday's game
Pre-season tour takeaways, Chavarria incoming & goodbye Trev
Two weeks to go...Matt Davies Adams is joined by The Athletic's Simon Johnson and Liam Twomey for a look back on Chelsea's pre-season tour exploits following a final two matches in the Far East over the weekend.We dissect the 3-0 win over Milan and the feisty 3-3 draw with Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta'zim - before a wider look at the main learnings for Xabi Alonso in their time on the road.C
Mudryk returns as the squad gets bigger
A ban resolved, three players in and a £10m fine… so a pretty quiet week from a Chelsea point of view.Plenty to discuss for Matt Davies-Adams, Simon Johnson and Sam Parkin as Mikhailo Mudryk is officially back and eligible to play for the Blues again.The 25-year-old’s ban has ended with immediate effect after his doping case was resolved on Friday. Will there still be a place for him in the team?
35s and over to the front please!
Pre-season is officially underway and the Straight Outta Cobham team are here to talk about it.Matt Davies-Adams is joined by Cerys Jones and Simon Johnson from Down Under as the Blues start the Xabi Alonso era with a 6-4 win over Western Sydney Wanderers in Australia.A nine minute hattrick from Joao Pedro with lots of strong performances from youngsters. So what did the panel make of it all? And
Morgan Rogers: How has it happened and what will he bring?
Morgan Rogers is going to Chelsea instead of Arsenal and the Straight Outta Cobham team are here to lap it all up.Matt Davies-Adams is joined by Simon Johnson and Liam Twomey as the Blues set a new British transfer record of £117m to sign the England attacking midfielder from Aston Villa.How have they managed to pull this one off? And just how will Rogers fit into Xabi Alonso’s new look squad?&nbs
Gianluca Vialli: The Gentleman
It’s three years since a Chelsea great passed away which means it’s only right for a Straight Outta Cobham special.Gianluca Vialli joined Chelsea as a player in 1996 and went on to become one of the club’s most significant figures of the pre-Abramovich era.He helped the Blues win the FA Cup in 1997, before taking over as manager the following season and winning both the League Cup and Cup Winners’
Palestra in + is Fernandez really staying?
Xabi Alonso has made his first official signing as Chelsea manager and Real Madrid have got the Straight Outta Cobham team scratching their heads again.Matt Davies-Adams is joined by Liam Twomey and Cerys Jones to discuss Marco Palestra’s arrival from Atalanta. What might it mean for both Reece James and Malo Gusto?Will Enzo Fernandez still be Palestra’s teammate at the start of the season? Real M
The former head coach who shall not be named + striker audit
Enzo Maresca is officially the new Manchester City manager and, while the rest of the football community pretends to be shocked, Chelsea release a blistering statement about how disappointed they are in their “former head coach”.Matt Davies-Adams, Cerys Jones and Sam Parkin react to another tumultuous couple of days at Stamford Bridge, and discuss where this all leaves the club now everything is f
Midfield Audit: What’s happening with Enzo Fernandez?
It’s part three of the Straight Outta Cobham team’s summer squad review and it’s time to sort out who on earth’s going to be playing in midfield for the Blues next season.Enzo Fernandez is the main name on the lips of Matt Davies-Adams, Simon Johnson and Cerys Jones. Is he off to Real Madrid? And if so, is it going to take all summer to happen?Might a disappointing World Cup for Ecuador be a good
Defence Audit: Adios Cucurella!
Marc Cucurella is on his way to Real Madrid and he’s timed it perfectly just ahead of the Straight Outta Cobham team’s review of Chelsea’s defensive unit.Matt Davies-Adams is joined by Liam Twomey and Sam Parkin to discuss what the Spaniard's exit might mean for the rest of the squad. Is Jorrel Hato the main benefiter at left back?How might Xabi Alonso get the best out of captain Reece James next
Squad Audit: Goalkeepers
The summer is here and it’s squad review time for the Straight Outta Cobham team.Matt Davies-Adams is joined by Liam Twomey and Cerys Jones to discuss all things goalkeepers. Has it been the weakest position during the BlueCo era? And how might they go about fixing it?Will Robert Sanchez still be between the sticks next season or is Mike Penders the answer? It’s not going to be either Filip Jorgen
Chelsea at the World Cup - plus Cucurella's future and another chance for Jackson?!
World Cup pending... Matt Davies-Adams has got Liam Twomey and Sam Parkin alongside him for our first podcast of the summer break.And we're taking a deep-dive into the Chelsea FC representation at the 2026 World Cup - with the first game of the tournament kicking off in just a week and a half. Plus, what about some of the high-profile Blues who won't be out in Mexico, Canada or the USA this summer
Good riddance, 2025-26: End of Season Review
Signing off on a sorry season...Matt Davies-Adams has got the whole SOC squad alongside him for a round up of the 2025-26 season for Chelsea Football Club. What are the main takeaways and reflections on this crazy campaign? What does not being in Europe mean from a financial perspective? Who have been the big winners and losers in the squad? And what's top of Xabi Alonso's to-do list heading into
Chelsea miss out on Europe after dire final day defeat at Sunderland
A dire end to a dire season...Matt Davies-Adams is joined by Simon Johnson and Sam Parkin for a look back on the 2-1 defeat Sunderland - which condemns Chelsea to a 10th-placed finish in the Premier League.The Blues were outplayed and outfought by their hosts - and that added to Wesley Fofana's red card sums up what a poor season it's been.Thankfully all was not lost this weekend - with the U18's
Would Chelsea be better off out of Europe next season?
It's Tottenham, lads...Matt Davies-Adams has got two of The Athletic's finest - Cerys Jones and Luke Bosher - alongside him for a look back on the absolutely inevitable but pretty unconvincing 2-1 victory over Tottenham at the Bridge on Tuesday night.Then - the end is (finally) here! The Blues make the trip to Sunderland on Sunday - with a place in either the Europa League, Conference League or no
Alonso announced! More Wembley misery and another Battle of the Bridge?
Matt Davies-Adams has got The Athletic's Simon Johnson and Liam Twomey for company after a rather busy days for Chelsea Football Club...A seventh straight defeat in a final at Wembley? Bad.Xabi Alonso announced as the new Blues manager? Now, that's more like it!We've got all the latest on Alonso's appointment, plus a look back on the narrow 1-0 defeat by Manchester City in the FA Cup final AND a l
FA Cup final preview: Chelsea v Manchester City
Surely the Wembley curse has to come to an end eventually?!Matt Davies-Adams is joined by The Athletic's Liam Twomey and Luke Bosher for a mega look ahead to Saturday's FA Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley.Do the Blues have any hope of beating Pep's men given their 13-game winless streak against them? What are the key selection issues heading into the final? And just what an incredible
Will the point and performance at Anfield boost Chelsea's Wembley hopes?
Seven straight defeats? Not in these parts...Matt Davies-Adams calls up Simon Johnson and Sam Parkin for a look back on the 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday lunchtime.We take the positives from a far better showing that the sorry Forest defeat, laud the return of Levi Colwill - starting his first game of the season - and ponder whether this will be the boost they need to go into a We
Is it a case of damage limitation for Chelsea at Anfield on Saturday?
News just in... unfortunately we can't forfeit this game...Matt Davies-Adams is once again joined by two of The Athletic's finest - Simon Johnson and Liam Twomey - for a look ahead to the weekend trip to Merseyside to take on Liverpool.Will the players actually bother to try and put in some kind of performance on Saturday? What players are even available? And do they need to string a couple of res
Chelsea's season reaches new *unacceptable* low after Forest B team embarrassment
Can the season just end now?Matt Davies-Adams enlists The Athletic's Chelsea experts Liam Twomey and Simon Johnson for our latest doomcast after the horror show against an unrecognisable Nottingham Forest.What can you even say after that performance?! The lack of effort, the shortcomings all over the field, the terrible end to what should have been a special day for Jesse Derry, the magnificent Jo
Forest (H), manager latest, Mudryk's appeal & Bright's retirement
MDA Derby pending...Matt Davies-Adams has got Sam Parkin and Liam Twomey for company - and a smorgasbord of Chelsea-related chatter to get stuck into ahead of a busy weekend of action.We look ahead to the visit of Nottingham Forest. We discuss any managerial developments and hear from Italian football expert James Horncastle on why it may be difficult to tempt Cesc Fabregas away from Como. We chat
Could FA Cup glory salvage the season? And who's in the running to be the next manager?
So, that's what effort looks like!?Matt Davies-Adams has got The Athletic's Simon Johnson and Luke Bosher alongside him for a look back on Sunday's trip to Wembley - where Chelsea set a date with Manchester City in the final after a 1-0 win over Leeds.We discuss the much-improved performance from the end of the Rosenior reign (although that's not saying much!), discuss the captain Enzo's goal, the
Emergency SOC: Chelsea sack Rosenior!
106 days later... The SOC gang assembles under emergency measures after the news dropped late on Monday afternoon that Liam Rosenior has been sacked by Chelsea after less than four months as the club’s head coach.Appointed in January to succeed Enzo Maresca - he began by winning eight of his first 11 matches in charge.But Monday's defeat to Brighton was the seventh time they have lost in their las
Will an unacceptably dire night in Brighton spell the end for Rosenior at Chelsea?
What were you doing in 1912? Matt Davies-Adams, Cerys Jones and Liam Twomey jump aboard the pretty downbeat party bus for a look back on the 3-0 defeat at Brighton which condemns Chelsea to their fifth straight Premier League defeat without scoring.We get into Liam Rosenior's pointed post-match comments, the bizarre formation, the totally inept performance across the board - and what this latest l
Chelsea's downward spiral continues after Man United defeat
Gallows humour at the ready...Matt Davies-Adams has The Athletic's Simon Johnson and Luke Bosher for company to look back on the latest shambolic result for Chelsea Football Club - this time in the form of a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester United.We touch upon the pre-match protests, before focusing on another day to forget at the Bridge to condemn the Blues to their fourth straight defeat..
Man United (H) - Enzo's reintroduction? Any interest in Iraola?! And planned protests
Four Premier League defeats in a row for just the second time this century? Surely not?!Matt Davies-Adams is in the company of The Athletic's Cerys Jones and Liam Twomey for a look ahead to the visit of Manchester United under the lights at Stamford Bridge on Saturday night.We discuss what kind of team we're expecting to see face up against Michael Carrick's side with Enzo Fernandez in from the co
Is there any turning this season around for Rosenior and Chelsea?
All downhill from here?Matt Davies-Adams has got Simon Johnson and Sam Parkin alongside him for a look back on the 3-0 defeat dished out to the Blues by a far superior Manchester City.Why was the second half showing so poor? Would Enzo Fernandez have made any difference if he wasn't on the naughty step? And does it feel like it's now only a matter of time before the club move on from Liam Rosenior
Man City, team tinkering and a captaincy conundrum
Matt Davies-Adams has got Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey for company for a look ahead to the visit of Manchester City to Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon. Who the heck is going to be in the starting XI?! What chance do Liam Rosenior's side have of frustrating Pep's men like they did at the Etihad back in January? And can they avoid losing 3 successive league games without scoring for the first tim
Chelsea put seven past Port Vale - plus the Enzo debacle and Mudryk in Uxbridge!
How can you come away from a 7-0 victory... still kind of unconvinced?!Matt Davies-Adams has got his Easter bunnies Sam Parkin and Liam Twomey alongside him for a look back on the thrashing of Port Vale in the FA Cup.Who were the big winners and losers from the game? Why didn't Josh Acheampong get more minutes? And what does it say about Liam Delap's future that he was left out - and then still di
Losing to bottom of League One Port Vale in the FA Cup would be unthinkable... right!?
Anyone else want to speak out in the press? Matt Davies-Adams has got Cerys Jones and Luke Bosher for company as we return from a short international break of our own to look ahead to the return to action of the men's team.But we begin with disappointment in the UWCL for CFCW - 1-0 winners on the night against Arsenal but knocked out of the competition at the quarter-final stage 3-2 on aggregate..
CFCW special: Advantage Arsenal, WSL struggles, stadium uncertainty & upheaval behind the scenes
Losing isn't exclusive to the men's team at the moment... Matt Davies-Adams has a new-look starting line-up - with The Athletic's Charlotte Harpur and Michael Cox joining forces with SOC's own Cerys Jones for a closer look at all things CFCW hot off the back of Chelsea's 3-1 defeat by Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.We look at the big talking points from the match
22-23 déjà vu, anyone? Is 25-26 going down the same sorry road?
We're going to need more than Good Luck, Babe!Matt Davies-Adams has got two Chappell Roan enthusiasts - Cerys Jones and Simon Johnson - alongside him for a look back at another miserable trip to Merseyside.There's the fallout from the abject 3-0 defeat to Everton. Have the players downed tools? Have they lost respect for Liam Rosenior's methods? And are we in danger of seeing the Blues tumble down
Was PSG humiliation the most damaging night of the Clearlake era?
You 8-2 see it...Matt Davies-Adams enlists Cerys Jones and Liam Twomey for a gory-post mortem of Chelsea's 8-2 aggregate defeat by PSG in the Champions League last 16.Simon Johnson beams in from the Stamford Bridge press box with a pretty damning assessment of what he saw in front of him on a 'horrific night' for everyone associated with the club.Was this result breaking point for Liam Rosenior in
Sanctions, huddles, injuries, defeats - and mounting concerns over Chelsea's season
Respectfully...Matt Davies-Adams is joined by the SOC OG's Simon Johnson and Liam Twomey for a look back at events at Stamford Bridge on Saturday as Chelsea's top five hopes were dealt another blow.But we begin with a double dose of bad breaking news to come out of the club on Monday - with Reece James injured and the club handed a suspended one-year ban from signing first-team players and given a
Chelsea collapse at PSG as the goalkeeping situation reaches its nadir
It was all going (kinda) well for 73 minutes...Matt Davies-Adams has got Cerys Jones and Sam Parkin for company for a look back on the 5-2 defeat by PSG on Wednesday night.Liam Twomey was on the ground at the Parc des Princes - and he sends his thoughts on the calamitous end to an otherwise positive performance in Paris.While PSG can put their feet up for the weekend, the Blues have to navigate th
Chelsea need extra-time to beat Wrexham - now time for the PSG rematch
It was certainly a welcome...Matt Davies-Adams has got The Athletic's Simon Johnson and Liam Twomey in tow to look back on the 4-2 (AET) victory over Wrexham in the 5th round of the FA Cup.It certainly wasn't pretty - but we take a closer look at how Rosenior's side eventually got over the line, the silver linings from the laboured performance - and how Garnacho is taking his chance with options o
Renewed hope for a top five finish after João Pedro's Villa Park hat-trick
You can't stay mad at them for long...Matt Davies-Adams has got The Athletic's Liam Twomey and Luke Bosher with him for a look back on Wednesday night's 4-1 win at Aston Villa - to take Chelsea back to 5th in the Premier League table.Simon Johnson sends us his post-match dispatch from the press box - before we discuss the bold decision to drop Robert Sánchez, the continuation of João Pedro's sensa
A red card? Conceding from corners?! Welcome to the Chelsea experience
We've seen this movie far too many times now...Matt Davies-Adams has got Luke Bosher and Simon Johnson in tow to look back on the hugely frustrating and in many ways avoidable 2-1 defeat by Arsenal at The Emirates.We begin with a pretty dismayed Liam Twomey and his thoughts from the press box - before reflecting on Robert Sanchez's disastrous afternoon, the unfortunate gulf in class between Arsen
Will the Arsenal hoodoo end?! Can Chelsea rise to the challenge against the league leaders?
Ninth time lucky in the Premier League against Arsenal?!Matt Davies-Adams has got Luke Bosher and Sam Parkin for company as we look ahead to the trip across London to take on the league leaders of Sunday afternoon.We discuss the remaining fixture list which the infamous Opta Supercomputer has deemed the hardest in the league - but could it actually work to their advantage? Plus, who's going to com
Yet more dropped points (and red cards) in calamitous Burnley draw
19 points dropped... NINETEEN POINTS!Matt Davies-Adams is joined by two of The Athletic's finest - Simon Johnson and Liam Twomey - to look back on the shocker of a 1-1 draw with Burnley at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.We discuss the overall poor level of performance, the defensive substitutions and the mistakes that this team just don't seem to be learning from week in, week out. Elsewher
Is Burnley must-win if Chelsea want to achieve a top-five finish?
Coming to a Dubai nightclub near you soon...Matt Davies-Adams has got Liam Twomey and Cerys Jones with him for a closer look at the Premier League clash with (surely?) Championship-bound Burnley at Stamford Bridge.Why is Cole Palmer so good at taking penalties? What makes Andrey Santos such an important cog in Liam Rosenior's system? And how have Chelsea given up the most xG in the Premier League
Neto's hat-trick of goals, Delap's hat-trick of assists - and a whole week off!
Matt Davies-Adams is joined by Simon Johnson and Luke Bosher for a look back on the 4-0 victory at Hull on Friday night to safely book their place in the 5th round of the FA Cup.We discuss why Pedro Neto perhaps doesn't get the plaudits despite his three goals, another peculiar night for Liam Delap - and the Mamadou Sarr revelation as he impresses on his full debut for the club. Then - with an *ac
Why can't Chelsea put together a complete performance? And what's going on at CFCW?
Oh Cole, it was harder to miss...Matt Davies-Adams has Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey for company to look back on Tuesday night's 2-2 draw with Leeds and Stamford Bridge.The scoreline certainly doesn't tell the whole story - with the Blues throwing away a two-goal lead in farcical fashion to be held by Daniel Farke's side - and Cole Palmer missing an open goal! Simon Johnson sends in his thoughts fro
Palmer gets some of his swagger back with Molineux hat-trick
We've missed singing 'Palmer again ole, ole'...Matt Davies-Adams is joined by two of The Athletic's finest - Cerys Jones and Simon Johnson - for a Monday dose of SOC off the back of Chelsea's 3-1 win at Wolves on Saturday.On the agenda: Cole Palmer's very welcome return to form, Rosenior's role adjustments - and why they can never quite put together a full, 90-minute performance...Next, can the Bl
What do Rosenior's tactics against Arsenal say about *this* Chelsea?
That elusive goal...Matt Davies-Adams has got The Athletic's Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey with him after the Blues were knocked out of the League Cup by Arsenal.Beaten 4-2 on aggregate, 1-0 on the night by a last-gasp Kai Havertz (of course) goal - we take a closer look at yet another tactical set-up, the glaring absence of Reece James - and what the team needs to do to get the best out of Liam Del
A historic comeback against the Hammers - now can they do it at Arsenal?
At the 57th time of asking...Matt Davies-Adams and Sam Parkin team up to look back on the dramatic 3-2 victory over West Ham at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.We've got a special double-header voice note from the press box on the final whistle as Cerys and Liam try and sum up the chaos that played out in front of them in the dictionary definition of a game of two halves.Can the Blues bottle u
João Pedro at the double as Chelsea seal last 16 place after night of drama in Naples
Come on, it was never in doubt (!)Matt Davies-Adams, Liam Twomey and Sam Parkin assemble to revel in the glory of Wednesday night's triumphant 3-2, comeback victory over Napoli to seal safe passage straight through the Champions League last 16.We of course begin in Naples - and the thoughts of Simon Johnson following the topsy turvy evening which saw Liam Rosenior's tinkering eventually pay off! T
Can Chelsea secure a precious top eight spot against Conte, Lukaku & Co?
To Naples we go...Matt Davies-Adams is joined by The Athletic's Luke Bosher and Simon Johnson to run the rule over Sunday's 3-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.There's love for the sensational Steve-o, a word on João Pedro's recent revival, vintage VAR fodder and the obligatory Caicedo yellow.Then - attention turns to the UCL, and Wednesday night's race for a top eight place as Liam Rosen
Chelsea into UCL top eight after Pafos toil with trip to crisis club Palace up next
In the race for eighth place...Matt Davies-Adams has got The Athletic's Liam Twomey and Cerys Jones alongside him for a recap of the extremely dull but extremely necessary 1-0 victory over Pafos on MD7 of the UCL.We discuss the slog against the Cypriot champions, Liam Delap's ineffectiveness against the low block - and whether we're being too harsh on the team given a win's a win AND they are into
Chelsea win 'ugly' - but is it a good sign heading into Pafos?
Not quite sure how that happened but...Matt Davies-Adams has got Sam Parkin and Simon Johnson for company to pass judgement on the beating of the Bees and a look ahead to Pafos.We begin by touching upon the protests which gathered outside the ground before the game, before turning our attention to the events on the pitch - which saw the Blues somehow come away with a 2-0 win over Brentford.Then -
Chelsea keep League Cup hopes alive ahead of Brentford visit
It's been real, Facundo...Matt Davies-Adams is joined by Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey with eyes on Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night and the 3-2 defeat by Arsenal in the League Cup semi-final first leg. Simon Johnson sends his thoughts on the final whistle on a chaotic evening of Carabao football. We discuss the defensive and goalkeeping shortcomings exposed once again, how Rosenior wants this sid
Charlton dispatched in the FA Cup - but how will Rosenior's CFC fare against Arsenal?
A big win to kick-off the Rosenior reign...Matt Davies-Adams has got Sam Parkin and Simon Johnson alongside him to look back on the 5-1 win at Charlton in the FA Cup on Saturday night. Then it's onto a wholly different challenge - with Arsenal making the short trip to Stamford Bridge in the Carabao Cup Semi-Final First Leg on Wednesday evening. Is the pressure off for the Blues? And what kind of r
Liam Rosenior interview: Chelsea's new boss on his ambitions and nurturing young players (from The Athletic FC Podcast)
Back in October 2025, Liam Rosenior sat down with The Athletic FC Podcast's Ayo Akinwolere and Carl Anka - with RC Strasbourg flying high in Ligue 1.Now Chelsea manager - Rosenior gives an insight into his management style, working in a multi-club ownership model and the importance of representation, diversity and role models.Plus - his approach to coaching and how he gets a big dressing room to c
Is fixing Chelsea's ill-discipline at the top of Rosenior's priority list?
We are SO back, baby... not a red card in sight...Matt Davies-Adams has got The Athletic's Chelsea experts Cerys Jones and Liam Twomey (!) alongside him for our second show of the week... a second show we'll be bringing you every week going forward!It's a shame we're not with you in happier circumstances - as we have to look back on the 2-1 defeat by Fulham at Craven Cottage on Wednesday night. We
McFarlane's Blues pick up impressive point at City ahead of Fulham & Charlton games
Not bad for your first senior game in charge...Matt Davies-Adams has Cerys Jones and Sam Parkin along for the ride as we look back on the hugely creditable 1-1 draw at Manchester City on Sunday evening. Simon's on hand with his reflections on the final whistle from inside the Etihad - as we praise Calum McFarlane's tactical tweaks, the spirit showed by the team to come back into the game - and wha
Happy New Year, CFC style: Maresca out! Rosenior in?!
Happy New Year...Matt Davies-Adams, Simon Johnson and Luke Bosher assemble for an emergency pod following the news that dropped at lunchtime on Thursday 1st January 2026 - that Chelsea Football Club and Enzo Maresca have parted company.We take a deep dive into the reasons behind the decision and its timing, the mounting questions which will now only grow for the club's hierarchy and their policies
Are Chelsea running out of excuses for their Jekyll and Hyde form?
Well, that wasn't very festive Chelsea.Matt Davies-Adams has got Luke Bosher and Simon Johnson for company as we unpick the collapse in the 2-1 defeat by Aston Villa at the Bridge on Saturday evening.We discuss the failings of the squad building process of the summer, the defensive lapses which yet again came back to bite this team - and whether Enzo Maresca can avoid the pressure mounting to deli
Blues battle back for point at Newcastle ahead of tricky festive fixtures
A minor Christmas miracle in the circumstances...Matt Davies-Adams has got Sam Parkin and Cerys Jones alongside him for a look back on the quintessential game of two halves in the 2-2 draw with Newcastle on Saturday lunchtime.We talk the impressive second half comeback after a dicey opening 45 minutes, Reece's spectacular free-kick - and is Garnacho actually any good at football?Aston Villa are in
Ornstein exclusive: City target Maresca to replace Guardiola (from The Athletic FC Podcast)
David Ornstein reports that Chelsea's Enzo Maresca is high on the list to replace Pep Guardiola - with the anticipation of this being his last season at Manchester City.It comes less than a week after Maresca's outburst regarding his 'worst 48 hours' at the club, which came following the 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday. The Athletic FC Podcast assembled to react to the news. Matt Davies-Adams and
Two wins, another semi-final - but what's got Maresca so upset?
How was your last 48 hours?!!Matt Davies-Adams is joined by Cerys Jones, Luke Bosher and Simon Johnson (through the medium of extensive voice notes) as we look back on a pretty bonkers few days in the life of Chelsea Football Club.We take a deep dive into Enzo Maresca's post-Everton press conference revelations and the subsequent reluctance to elaborate on his angst. We've got a look back on that
SOC Extra: Atalanta 2-1 Chelsea reaction
Non bene... Producer Lucy's joined by The Athletic's Simon Johnson out in Bergamo for some quickfire reaction to the 2-1 defeat by Atalanta - which leaves Chelsea's hopes of a top eight finish in the UCL league phase hanging perilously in the balance.So where did it all go wrong in the second half? What have been the big areas of concern across these that three performances against La Dea, Bournem
Have Chelsea shown exactly why they're not title challengers?
One of the dullest games in recent memory?Matt Davies-Adams has got Luke Bosher and Sam Parkin alongside him with the unenviable task of having to look back on Saturday's drab goalless draw at Bournemouth. Cerys Jones was there and sent her thoughts - and tried to take the positives from the clean sheet! But the misery was compounded by another serious injury to Liam Delap as the curse of the '9'
Reece James sensational as 10-man Chelsea impress in Arsenal draw
It feels like more than just a point... Matt Davies-Adams has got an OG SOC crew of The Athletic's Simon Johnson and Liam Twomey alongside him to look back on Sunday's 1-1 draw with league leaders Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.The gang reflect on the pretty remarkable point picked up against the Gunners given the first half red card dished out to Moises Caicedo, the maturity showed by Reece Jame
SOC Extra: Chelsea 3-0 Barcelona reaction
Yamal who???????Producer Lucy's joined by Simon Johnson to look back on a great European night under the lights at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea dispatched Spanish champions Barcelona in emphatic fashion, winning 3-0 and in some style on Tuesday evening.What more can we say about Estêvão?! How big was it for Liam Delap to open his account? How good is Marc Cucurella!? And how does this set the team u
Barca and Arsenal offer Chelsea their biggest test yet after Burnley win
Some week ahead...Matt Davies-Adams has got Cerys Jones and Sam Parkin alongside him for all the fallout from Saturday's ultimately comfortable 2-0 win over Burnley at Turf Moor.It might not have been the most memorable of encounters - but we lavish praise on Andrey Santos and his MOTM performance, ponder Liam Delap's importance despite his struggles in front of goal - and lament Cole Palmer's doo
Turf Moor trip kicks off decisive set of fixtures for inconsistent Chelsea
No more international breaks until March!? Hallelujah!Matt Davies-Adams has got Cerys Jones and Luke Bosher along for the ride as we relish the return of the Premier League - and Saturday's long trip to Turf Moor to take on Burnley.We've got a round up of the international Blues in action - before pondering how that will impact upon Enzo Maresca's ever-unpredictable team selection, why this could
Malo Gusto scores! Should Estêvão start?! Chelsea are third!
165 games later...Matt Davies-Adams has got Cerys Jones and Liam Twomey alongside him for the seismic fallout from Malo Gusto scoring his first ever senior goal - which got the ball rolling on Chelsea's ultimately incredibly comfortable 3-0 win over Wolves at Stamford Bridge on Saturday night.We talk the ongoing great rotation debate, whether starboy Estêvão should be in from the start - and wheth
SOC Extra: Qarabağ 2-2 Chelsea reaction
Qarabag had lost all seven of their previous matches against English opposition, but that's fine... Producer Lucy's got reaction from the 2-2 draw with the Azerbaijani champions out in Baku - with Cerys Jones across the game for The Athletic on a night where the Blues avoided the embarrassment of a shock defeat, but still suffered a major blow to their hopes of finishing in the top eight of the le
Lads, it's Tottenham... Chelsea get their customary win at Spurs
0.05 xG?!?Matt Davies-Adams is accompanied by two of The Athletic's finest - Simon Johnson and Luke Bosher - to look back on the 1-0 victory over Tottenham.It was a rather bizarre evening without major incident compared to the recent mayhem between these two sides - but we discuss the complete nullification of Spurs, Robert Sanchez's impressive command of his box (while hearing from the man himsel
Chelsea's frailties exposed again in late Sunderland defeat
Five wins in a row is a myth...Matt Davies-Adams is joined by Sam Parkin and full debutant Cerys Jones to look back on the late 2-1 defeat by Sunderland at Stamford Bridge.We begin with the verdict of Simon Johnson direct from the press box in SW6 - before dissecting some of the finer points of the disappointing performance and result including the struggles of Joao Pedro and Marc Guiu, Enzo Mares
SOC Extra: Chelsea 5-1 Ajax reaction
Don't they know Chelsea are the ones who get the red cards?!Producer Lucy's got reaction to the 5-1 rout of Ajax at a rainy Stamford Bridge with analysis from the press box provided by Blues reporter Simon Johnson and The Athletic's Senior Data Analyst Mark Carey. 10 changes but no problems for Enzo Maresca's side - who made a little bit of history by becoming the first team to have three teenager
Red Card FC end Forest's Ange experiment ahead of Ajax visit
Oh, mate...Matt Davies-Adams, Simon Johnson and Sam Parkin assemble on a gloomy Monday morning to look back on the game of two halves at the City Ground as Chelsea eventually came out 3-0 winners and spelt the end for Ange Postecoglou at Nottingham Forest.We discuss how Enzo's side tried their best to hand Forest the three points in a difficult first half, the impact of the half-time changes (not
Can Chelsea prove Liverpool heroics weren't a fluke at struggling Forest?
MDA Derby pending...Matt's got a vintage combo of Sam Parkin and Dom Fifield alongside him as we gear up for the return of the Premier League and a trip to Nottingham Forest at Saturday lunchtime.Two weeks on from that dramatic triumph against Liverpool - will the feel-good factor still be in full effect? Or will the international break travel and toil mean this is a tougher assignment than it loo
Caicedo, Estevao & co shine to beat Liverpool on great Stamford Bridge night
EsteWOW hasn't been used yet, has it?!Matt Davies-Adams is joined by The Athletic's Simon Johnson and Luke Bosher to revel in the glorious 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.Despite initial trepidation when the team sheet dropped before kick-off, we reflect on the hugely impressive defensive performance, yet another Caicedo banger, the importance of this result (and
Unconvincing against Jose's Benfica - but (perhaps misguided) hope ahead of Liverpool
The Jose show was back in town for one night only...Matt Davies-Adams has got Luke Bosher and a sleep-deprived Liam Twomey back alongside him to reflect on Tuesday night's narrow 1-0 win over Benfica at Stamford Bridge!We touch on the concerns which were mounting after the performance at Lincoln and Saturday's Brighton defeat - before diving into some of the key themes from the victory over Mourin
Old Trafford curse continues after calamitous first half collapse
13 games without a league win at Old Trafford... THIRTEEN!!!Matt Davies-Adams has got Luke Bosher and Simon Johnson along for our post-Man United pity party after the shambolic showing in the torrential Manchester rain on Saturday night.We discuss Enzo's baffling substitutions, the Robert Sanchez experience, whether we need to start worrying about Cole Palmer's groin - and the strange case of Tyri
SOC Extra: Bayern 3-1 Chelsea reaction
Not *quite* the return to Europe's top table we were looking for...Producer Lucy's got The Athletic's Chelsea reporter Simon Johnson on hand to bring his post-match reaction to the 3-1 defeat by Bayern Munich in Matchday 1 of the 2025-26 Champions League campaign. We hear from Enzo Maresca on how the Blues can 'build something special from this defeat', discuss the huge gulf in experience on this
Can Chelsea show they're ready to be back at Europe's top table against Bayern?
A draw?! At Brentford?! Never...Matt Davies-Adams has got The Athletic's Simon Johnson and Thom Harris alongside him to look back on the frenetic 2-2 draw with the Bees at the Gtech on Saturday night.We discuss the controversial late equaliser, the eyebrow-raising first half team selection - and whether this shows that Enzo Maresca still has a lot to learn about juggling the Premier League and Eur
Early season takeaways, the Brentford test - and a bright start for CFCW
Let's not get stung by any Bees...Matt Davies-Adams has got Thom Harris and Sam Parkin alongside him as we prepare for the return of the Premier League after it was rudely interrupted by the international break!We begin with some early reflections on the season so far - and some of key tactical moves and talking points which have stood out from Enzo Maresca's side in the opening three games of thi
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