Straight Outta Cobham: The Athletic FC's Chelsea show

The Estêvão Derby is upon us... Matt Davies-Adams has got Liam Twomey and Sam Parkin back with him to look ahead to Friday night's Club World Cup quarter-final against Palmeiras in Philadelphia. Brazilian football aficionado Jack Lang pops by for a closer look at the Blues' opponents - and what we should expect from Estêvão going forward... We've got reflections on Kepa's departure (we'll always have the 2019 Carabao Cup Final, ey?!) - excitement around what João Pedro could bring to the squad, and a quiz! We'll be back on Monday to review the Palmeiras clash and with any luck be looking ahead to a semi-final tie as the CWC enters the final stages... HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Liam Twomey, Sam Parkin & Jack Lang PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We hope no one had any plans on Sunday morning... Matt Davies-Adams has got The Athletic's Luke Bosher and Simon Johnson alongside him to look back on the bonkers 4-1 (AET) victory over Benfica in a crazy match that lasted more than four hours and included a near two-hour delay due to extreme weather. We discuss the pretty farcical scenes in Charlotte which the Blues boss labelled a 'joke', the wonderful resurgence of Reece James who looks well and truly back to his best - and we salute Christopher Nkunku's contribution - even if he still looks set to leave the club after the tournament! Elsewhere, there have been some eye-catching transfer developments with the news that João Pedro and Jamie Gittens look to officially be on their way to Stamford Bridge. What do those signings mean for the current crop of attacking talent and what will they bring to Enzo Maresca's side? We'll be back on Thursday to look ahead to the last eight showdown with Palmeiras in the early hours of Saturday morning in the UK! HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Luke Bosher and Simon Johnson PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Bank of America Stadium awaits... Matt Davies-Adams has got Liam Twomey and Sam Parkin in tow for your latest dose of Club World Cup chatter! We start with the MD3 3-0 victory over ES Tunis on Tuesday night in a balmy Philadelphia which saw the much-changed Blues comfortably wrap up 2nd place in the group - and arguably a much more favourable route to the final... Then, attention turns to Charlotte and Saturday's last 16 meeting with Portuguese powerhouse Benfica. With so much history between the two clubs - it would be remise of Matt not to conduct a quiz... We'll be back on Monday to review Saturday's Benfica showdown and hopefully have a quarterfinal to look forward to! HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Liam Twomey and Sam Parkin PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We didn't want to go to Miami anyway... Matt Davies-Adams has got The Athletic's Chelsea experts Liam Twomey and Simon Johnson alongside him to look back on the 3-1 defeat by Flamengo in Philadelphia which means there's work to do if they want to progress to the knockout stages of the Club World Cup. We talk Nicolas Jackson's red, more confusing selection and tactical decisions, Cole Palmer's struggles and whether we should be cutting this group more slack given the circumstances... So it's a shootout for second place in the group on Tuesday night in Philly as Enzo Maresca's side take on Es Tunis. What can we expect from them - and what do we want to see from Chelsea as they look to bounce back from Friday's disappointment? Elsewhere, we react to the news that Mykhailo Mudryk has been charged by the FA with violating its anti-doping rules - and could now face up to a four-year ban. We'll be back on Thursday to discuss all the fallout from the ES Tunis game - and hope that the Blues have set up a round of 16 tie to look forward to on Saturday night! HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Simon Johnson and Liam Twomey PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

22,137... Matt Davies-Adams has got The Athletic's Liam Twomey and Luke Bosher alongside him to look back on Chelsea's opening Club World Cup victory, beating LAFC 2-0 in a much less than half empty Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. We discuss the bizarre atmosphere inside an arena that's intended to house 71,000 raucous spectators - analyse the contributions of Nicolas Jackson and Liam Delap who'll be vying for that starting No. 9 position - and the balance of the team with Enzo Fernandez having to be satisfied with a goal off the bench. Plus - a bonus bit of Olivier Giroud who has rather fond memories of his time at Stamford Bridge! Next up in the competition the Blues are off to Philadelphia to take on a Flamengo side who sit top of the table in the ongoing Brazilian Serie A - and are managed by Filipe Luís and have Jorginho amongst their ranks! Will it prove a step up in quality? And finally - get yourselves ready for the VisitMalta Weekender (!) at Stamford Bridge... we discuss the bizarre truncated pre-season that Enzo Maresca and the players are having to contend with with Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan lined up as opponents in the week before the start of the new Premier League season. We'll be back next week to look back on Chelsea's remaining CWC group games against Flamengo and ES Tunis as they look to secure safe passage to the next round of the competition and book a trip to Miami... HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Liam Twomey and Luke Bosher PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who's hyped for the Club World Cup then...anyone...anyone!? Matt Davies-Adams has got Liam Twomey and Sam Parkin alongside him as we take a considered look back at the 2024-25 campaign following last week's Conference League victory out in Poland. Then, we pivot to the upcoming CWC over in the USA - with another piece of silverware up for grabs. So - who actually cares?! And will the players be motivated to perform on this stage? We've got the latest transfer news with Liam Delap all but official, Jadon Sancho NOT returning to Stamford Bridge next season - and reported interest in a number of eye-catching names to add to the collection... Plus - Matt couldn't go without a quiz! We're taking a short break but we'll be back after the first Club World Cup game against LAFC out in Atlanta. In the meantime, keep right across all the latest Blues news via The Athletic! HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Liam Twomey and Sam Parkin PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva -------------- *Have your say and let us know what you think of the pod!* https://forms.gle/JpkvkcBtSAin92KL8 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've won it all... Matt Davies-Adams, Simon Johnson and Luke Bosher assemble to celebrate Chelsea's Europa Conference League triumph as they came from a goal down to beat Real Betis 4-1 in Wrocław! We talk through the dramatic evening in Poland including eyebrow-raising team news, a tumultuous first 45 minutes, a sprinkling of Palmer magic and an emphatic comeback. What will this trophy mean for the club going forward? How big a show of character was the second half performance? And how much of a success has Enzo Maresca's first season in charge been? We also react to the breaking news that it looks like Liam Delap could be on his way to Stamford Bridge... We'll be back next week for a more considered look at the 2024-25 campaign as a whole - and look ahead to the impending Club World Cup! HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Luke Bosher and Simon Johnson PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was never, ever in doubt... Matt Davies-Adams has got The Athletic's Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey alongside him to wrap up the 1-0 final day victory over Nottingham Forest to seal Chelsea's participation in next season's Champions League. Liam was on hand to soak up the atmosphere at the final whistle - and was in the room as Enzo Maresca silenced the haters with a... kind of F-bomb?!! We reflect on their defensive steeliness, ability to get over the line and dig deep and banish their poor away form to get back at Europe's top table after a two-year absence. Then, it's all eyes on Wrocław as we preview Wednesday evening's Europa Conference League final showdown with Real Betis. Who makes the starting XI given there's been so much chop and change between the league and cup sides? And how important is it for the Blues to finish the season on a high by adding this trophy to their cabinet? We'll be back with our post-final round up on Thursday! HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It all comes down to this... Matt Davies-Adams has got Simon Johnson and Luke Bosher alongside him to look ahead to the final day of the Premier League season aka Nottingham Forest (A) aka the MDA Derby to end all MDA Derbies. The Athletic's Nick Miller - who happens to be a Forest fan - stops by to give us an insight into what the Blues should expect from the hosts at the City Ground - who still harbour hopes of nabbing a Champions League spot should they win and results elsewhere go their way. So, what are Chelsea's chances of getting the win? Who will Enzo Maresca trust up top? And what are the ramifications if they fall short? Plus, we've got a quick look ahead to next week's Conference League final, following the midweek pre-match media day which saw the boss express his frustration at the scheduling and confirm that Filip Jörgensen WILL start in goal. And of course - we've got a quiz with a Forest flavour. We'll be back on Monday to hopefully be celebrating Chelsea's safe passage into next season's Champions League AND a look ahead to Wednesday's final. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Luke Bosher, Simon Johnson and Nick Miller PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was never going to be pretty, was it?! Matt Davies-Adams has got The Athletic's Chelsea experts Liam Twomey and Simon Johnson alongside him to look back on the narrow 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Premier League on Friday night. We talk Marc Cucurella's incredible hot streak in front of goal, the invaluable contribution of Reece James which is making team selection difficult for Enzo Maresca - and the changing mood around the club and in the boardroom following the final home game of the season. Then it's off to Wembley - where CFCW wrapped up their remarkable domestic campaign in style by completing the treble in a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Man United. We'll be back on Thursday to look ahead to the MDA Derby to end all MDA Derbies... yikes! HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Liam Twomey and Simon Johnson PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Surely they have to beat *this* Man United team?! Matt Davies-Adams, Liam Twomey and Sam Parkin assemble to look ahead to a huge Friday night and Sunday afternoon for Chelsea Football Club. We begin under the lights at Stamford Bridge, where at 20:15 on Friday evening the Blues host a Manchester United side who sit 16th in the table, haven't won a game in the Premier League since the 16th March, haven’t won back-to-back league games all season AND are averaging less than a point a game under manager Ruben Amorim. So - why are we still not 100% sure that Enzo Maresca's side will be able to come away with the win? And who's going to fill the void left behind by Nicholas Jackson? The Athletic's United writer Carl Anka is on hand to give us the inside scoop on the opponents and their struggles. Then it's all about CFCW - looking to wrap up the domestic treble on Sunday afternoon when they take on Manchester United at Wembley. Carl sticks around to help us preview that one too as Sonia Bompastor's side look to sign off from this season in style. And - of course - we finish with a fiendishly tricky quiz... We'll be back on Monday to run the rule over the Manchester United double header in the Premier League and Women's FA Cup Final! HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Liam Twomey, Sam Parkin and Carl Anka PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oh, Nicholas... Matt Davies-Adams is joined by The Athletic's Liam Twomey and Luke Bosher to run the rule over Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Newcastle. There's only one place to start (unfortunately) - we get the post-match thoughts of Simon Johnson from the St. James' Park press box and hear him in conversation with Enzo Maresca following the 36th-minute red card handed out to Nicholas Jackson after his senseless forearm smash on Sven Botman. We touch on the lack of intensity from the very first minute, the tactical naivety of the side which seemed to have been found out by Eddie Howe - and what this means for hopes of securing a top five finish with just Manchester United and Nottingham Forest to come in the Premier League. As is almost always the case, CFCW provided some joy as they wrapped up a historic unbeaten WSL season in their last-gasp 1-0 win over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge! We'll be back at the slightly earlier time of Wednesday to look ahead to Friday night's really, really must-win game against hapless Manchester United at the Bridge - and we'll preview Sunday's Women's FA Cup Final at Wembley. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Luke Bosher, Liam Twomey and Simon Johnson PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The most low-key semi-final second leg ever?! Matt Davies-Adams has got The Athletic's Simon Johnson and Luke Bosher alongside him to run the rule over Thursday night's 1-0 victory over Djurgården. It's a result that sealed a 5-1 aggregate victory as the Blues cruised into the Conference League final - where they'll face Real Betis in what's surely going to be a far more competitive contest on the 28th of May. We round up events at Stamford Bridge - and the shocking number of away fans in the home stands - before looking ahead to Sunday afternoon's top five showdown at Newcastle United. Plus, Chelsea Women look go complete an undefeated WSL season when they host Liverpool at the Bridge on the final day of the campaign! We'll be back on Monday to look back on all the action across the weekend - with CFCW looking to go unbeaten and CFC looking to take a huge step towards locking in a top five finish. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Luke Bosher and Simon Johnson PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where would Chelsea be in the table if Romeo Lavia had been fit all season?! Matt Davies-Adams has The Athletic's Simon Johnson and Liam Twomey alongside him to look back on the huge 3-1 victory over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. We talk Cole Palmer's masterful performance, Romeo Lavia's pivotal role which as been sorely missed too often in this campaign - and the tireless work of Moises Caicedo as the three points helped Enzo Maresca's side move a step closer to Champions League football next season. We celebrate the winners at the end of season awards, look ahead to Thursday night's second leg against Djurgården which the Blues take a commanding lead into - and shoutout CFCW who got a guard of honour AND a win at Tottenham for good measure. We'll be back on Friday to hope that the men have put in a better performance than the last Conference League return leg... and look ahead to another massive game with the trip to Brentford on the horizon! HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Simon Johnson and Liam Twomey PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

First came Didier, then came Romelu, then came... Matt Davies-Adams has got Dom Fifield and the returning Super Sammy Parkin alongside him to look back on the comprehensive 4-1 Conference League semi-final first leg victory over Djurgården. Simon Johnson spoke to us at full-time to give a flavour of events on the ground in Sweden. Then our focus shifts back to the Premier League and the visit of Liverpool to Stamford Bridge on Sunday. We might be subjected to a guard of honour - but can Chelsea get the better of the champions and take another huge step towards securing Champions League football next season? There's jubilation for CFCW who wrapped up their sixth straight WSL title on Wednesday night with the 1-0 victory at Manchester United. The Athletic's Megan Feringa is back with her assessment of how big an achievement it is in Sonia Bompastor's first season in charge. We've got a pretty mouthwatering quiz with Sam looking to reclaim his old crown as the most fearsome competitor of all. Plus, we pay our tributes to a man who was the definition of 'Proper Chels' following the incredibly sad news of Paul Lagan's passing. We'll be back on Monday to reflect on the visit of Liverpool and look ahead to the second leg against Djurgården on Thursday night. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Dom Fifield, Simon Johnson, Megan Feringa and Sam Parkin PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does your Djurgården need watering? Matt Davies-Adams is joined by Simon Johnson and Luke Bosher for your Monday dose of Chelsea chat. We begin with a look back on the 1-0 victory over Everton on Saturday - with Jackson back amongst the goals, Lavia back in the starting line up - and Chelsea looking like they're back in with a realistic chance of a top five finish. Then, it's all eyes on the Conference League semi-final first leg, with the Blues on their way out to Djurgården. And finally, there was disappointment at Stamford Bridge as CFCW suffered another battering at the hands of a relentless Barcelona, beaten 4-1 on the day and 8-2 (yikes) on aggregate. The Athletic's Megan Feringa helps us look ahead to what this means for the rest of the season for Sonia Bompastor's side and how they recover. We'll be back on Friday to reflect on the trip to Sweden and look ahead to the visit of champions Liverpool to Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Luke Bosher and Simon Johnson PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Now is not the time to get stuck in a spot of bother... Matt Davies-Adams has got The Athletic's Chelsea experts Simon Johnson and Liam Twomey alongside him to look ahead to Saturday's visit of the Toffees at Stamford Bridge. On Sunday Chelsea Women try and pull off the unthinkable and overturn a three-goal deficit against Barcelona in their Champions League semi-final second leg. Megan Feringa gives us her take on their chances of turning the tie on its head. Plus, what's being done to create a fiercer and more lively atmosphere at Stamford Bridge? Richard and Alex from We Are The Shed join us to explain the steps being put in place to try and make the Bridge a fortress and bring more colour and noise to the Shed End. We'll be back on Monday to look back on the early kick-off against Everton, hope for a CFCW miracle against Barca and look ahead to Thursday's trip to Djurgården in the Conference League.! HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Simon Johnson and Liam Twomey PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just returning the favour after Boxing Day... Matt Davies-Adams is joined by Liam Twomey and Luke Bosher to reflect on the unlikely Easter Sunday comeback which saw Chelsea score two late goals to beat Fulham 2-1 at Craven Cottage. We talk half-time tweaks, the outpouring of emotion at full-time from the players and fans - and what this means for the chances of Champions League football next season. Not such good news for CFCW though - who were humbled in a 4-1 defeat at a dominant and ruthless Barcelona in their Champions League semi-final first leg encounter. Plenty of work for Sonia Bompastor's side to do if they're to keep their quadruple hopes alive when they face off again at Stamford Bridge next Sunday. We'll be back on Thursday to look ahead to that game and Saturday's early kick-off against Everton in the Premier League. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Has a team ever reached a European semi-final but been booed off the pitch? Asking for a friend... Matt Davies-Adams, Luke Bosher and Dom Fifield unite BEFORE the Legia game to look ahead to Sunday's visit to Fulham in the Premier League. But don't worry - thanks to the magic of editing we also hear from Simon Johnson in the press box after the hugely demoralising 2-1 defeat by Legia Warsaw in the Conference League which threw up more questions than answers. We look ahead to the small matter of a Champions League semi-final first leg over in Barcelona for CFCW, talk agents fees and veteran strikers and hear from Pat Harding - son of Matthew - who's following in his father's footsteps after becoming chairman of Hassocks FC. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Luke Bosher, Dom Fifield and Simon Johnson PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is it about Ipswich?! Matt Davies-Adams has got Luke Bosher and Simon Johnson alongside him to mull over the pretty disastrous 2-2 draw with the Tractor Boys at Stamford Bridge. We touch on the fractious relationship between Enzo Maresca and the fans after his pointed post-match comments, the lack of leadership amongst the squad and the costliness of the back-to-back draws with a pretty treacherous run-in to come. Then it's onto Thursday's visit of Legia in the Conference League quarter-final second leg. The Blues take a 3-0 advantage into the tie... surely they can't mess that up!? Plus, there was late drama for CFCW as Aggie Beever-Jones scored a 94th minute winner as Chelsea beat Liverpool 2-1 to book their place in the FA Cup final! We'll be back on Friday to round up the Thursday night's European escapades and look ahead to the tricky trip just down the road to take on Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Luke Bosher and Simon Johnson PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.