Straight Outta Cobham: The Athletic FC's Chelsea show

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 from the press box on a frustrating evening and what feels like an opportunity missed.Attention then turns to the FA Cup and the long trip to face Championship promotion hopefuls Hull City on Friday night. We look ahead to that game as Liam Rosenior makes his return to the side he played for and managed.Elsewhere - there was big breaking news out of Chelsea Women on Monday evening, when it was announced that head of women's football Paul Green is leaving the club after 13 years. You can read the deep-dive on The Athletic - but women's football writer Megan Feringa joins us for the inside scoop on how the news has been received - and what it means for the club going forward.We'll be back on Monday to look back on the visit to Hull - and rejoice in a free midweek without any football to hopefully rest the weary bodies!Read - Chelsea Women in crisis: A critical exit, player confusion and the role of the men’s sporting directorsJoin our SOC fantasy league! League Code: 7lntvqHOST: Matt Davies-AdamsWITH: Luke Bosher, Liam Twomey and Megan FeringaPRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Blues avenge their horror show at Elland Road back at the start of December? We look ahead to Tuesday night's visit of Leeds United to the Bridge in the midweek Premier League action.Plus, CFCW got back to winning ways with their 2-0 victory at Tottenham... in front of Madonna! It means the gap to the top of the table is back to nine points after Man City's defeat at Arsenal.There's also a focus on Cobham! With the under 18's hosting Manchester City in the 5th round of the FA Youth Cup on Monday evening and the U21's flying high in PL2.We'll be back on Wednesday with a look back on the visit of Leeds - and a look ahead to the trip to Hull on Friday night to face Liam Rosenior's former side in the fourth round of the FA Cup.Join the Straight Outta Cobham FPL League! HOST: Matt Davies-AdamsWITH: Cerys Jones and Simon JohnsonPRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Delap. It's back to Premier League matters on Saturday - with bottom of the table Wolves the assignment. We've got eyes on that game as the Blues look to consolidate their place in the hunt for a top five finish.Plus - a whistlestop round up of the sparse deadline day dealings - and can Chelsea Women bounce back from the hammering at Man City when they travel to Tottenham? Oh - and can you name the 10 most expensive signings of all-time!? We'll be back on Monday to run the rule over the trip to Molineux - and look ahead to the midweek visit of Leeds to Stamford Bridge!HOST: Matt Davies-AdamsWITH: Luke Bosher and Liam TwomeyPRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 up that second 45 minutes and take it into Tuesday night's League Cup semi-final second leg at The Emirates?! We preview the trip to Arsenal - before Simon Johnson gives his deadline day verdict on what we can expect business wise from the Blues as the January transfer window closes. Plus - it was another afternoon to forget for Chelsea Women after their 5-1 demolition by league leaders Manchester City on Sunday. The Athletic reports that Sonia Bompastor's job is safe - despite her saying she'd be ‘happy’ to leave Chelsea ‘if people think I’m not the right person’.We'll be back slightly earlier on Wednesday this week to bring you our reaction to the Arsenal game - and look ahead to the visit to Molineux!HOST: Matt Davies-AdamsWITH: Sam Parkin PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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! There's unexpected tactical approaches, Pedro's sensational strikes and sticking the boot in to Romelu Lukaku... Out of the Champions League haze, attentions turns to Saturday evening and the visit of relegation-threatened West Ham to Stamford Bridge.Plus - what next for Raheem Sterling after his Chelsea contract was terminated on Wednesday? And can Chelsea Women close the alarmingly wide gap at the top of the WSL table when they head to leaders Manchester City on Wednesday afternoon?We'll be back on Monday with a look back on all the weekend's action - and a look ahead to the crunch semi-final second leg meeting with Arsenal at The Emirates on Tuesday night. HOST: Matt Davies-AdamsWITH: Sam Parkin and Liam TwomeyPRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Rosenior's side face Antonio Conte's Napoli. Can Chelsea get the win - and the goal difference boost - to book their place in the next round of the Champions League?!Elsewhere, not such good news for Chelsea Women - comfortably beaten 2-0 by Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Saturday to leave the Blues nine points behind leaders Manchester City. Cerys sends her report from the press box! Plus - the latest on the (perhaps unexpected) return of Aarón Anselmino and why the wait for a shirt sponsor will go on... We'll be back on Thursday to look back on the crucial Champions League showdown out in Naples - and look ahead to the visit of relegation-threatened West Ham in the Premier League on Saturday evening.We’re asking you to fill out a quick survey about you and your podcast habits by going to theathletic.com/survey26. Three lucky entries will win $/£100 worth of Amazon vouchers too. So whether you’re a long-time listener or a new one, we want your feedback.Join the Straight Outta Cobham FPL League! HOST: Matt Davies-AdamsWITH: Luke Bosher and Simon JohnsonPRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 the top eight as it stands.Then, SOC OG Dom Fifield enters the chat for a look ahead to Sunday's trip to current crisis club Crystal Palace in the Premier League.Elsewhere, CFCW booked themselves into yet another cup final - beating Manchester City 1-0 to set up a League Cup final meeting with Manchester United in March. Can they keep the momentum going into Saturday's tie with Arsenal in the WSL?!We'll be back on Monday to look back on the trip to Selhurst Park and look ahead to the huge Champions League clash out in Naples as the Blues face old boss Antonio Conte looking to seal a top eight finish.We’re asking you to fill out a quick survey about you and your podcast habits by going to theathletic.com/survey26. Three lucky entries will win $/£100 worth of Amazon vouchers too. So whether you’re a long-time listener or a new one, we want your feedback.Join the Straight Outta Cobham FPL League! HOST: Matt Davies-AdamsWITH: Cerys Jones, Liam Twomey & Dom FifieldPRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 - it's the David Luiz derby!! Only he might be injured... but hopefully not! It's surely a must win for Chelsea if they're to secure a spot in the top eight and guarantee automatic passage through to the knockout round.Plus - why are the club interested in signing yet another young centre-back, this time in the form of Rennes 20-year-old Jeremy Jacquet.We'll be back on Thursday to reflect on Wednesday night's encounter with Pafos AND to preview the visit to current Premier League crisis club Crystal Palace.Join the Straight Outta Cobham FPL League! Take part in our audience survey for a chance to win an $/£100 Amazon voucher!HOST: Matt Davies-AdamsWITH: Simon Johnson and Sam ParkinPRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 side to play - and the positives considering how depleted the squad was due to injury and illness. Attention then turns to the visit of Brentford on Saturday afternoon - a Brentford who sit fifth in the Premier League table and could move five point clear of the Blues if they were to come away with a win.We'll be back on Monday to bring you reaction to the Bees match - and look ahead to the midweek Champions League action with Pafos in town!Join the Straight Outta Cobham FPL League! HOST: Matt Davies-AdamsWITH: Luke Bosher and Liam TwomeyPRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 reception will we see from the home fans towards the new head coach? Plus, the WSL returned this weekend and CFCW got back underway in style with a 5-0 thrashing of West Ham at Kingsmeadow! But it's still all to do in the league with Man City staying six point clear at the top of the table. We'll be back on Thursday to run the rule over the first leg clash with Arsenal - and look ahead to the visit of Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday.HOST: Matt Davies-AdamsWITH: Simon Johnson and Sam ParkinPRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 come together...Matt Davies-Adams and the gang will be back on Monday to review Rosenior's first game in charge of the Blues against Charlton in the FA Cup - and to look ahead to Arsenal in the League Cup!Host: Ayo AkinwolereCo-Host: Carl AnkaWith: Liam RoseniorExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 discuss the ongoing ill-discipline problems which are plighting this side, Cole Palmer's worrying lack of form - and take the positives from Liam Delap getting his first Premier League goal for the club.Plus, we react to Liam Rosenior's first interview as Chelsea boss and discuss some of the key challenges he faces ahead of his first game in charge on Saturday.Speaking of, we've got another quick look ahead to the trip to The Valley to take on Championship strugglers Charlton - and we preview the return of the WSL with CFCW hosting relegation-threatened West Ham on Sunday.We'll be back on Monday with a look back on visit to Charlton and a look ahead to the League Cup Semi-Final First Leg vs Arsenal on Wednesday night.Thank you for your support and emails, messages, five-star ratings which have allowed us to bring you two shows a week! We wouldn't have done it without you.Join the Straight Outta Cobham FPL League! What is Pubalgia? Read Sarah Shephard's piece HOST: Matt Davies-AdamsWITH: Cerys Jones & Liam TwomeyPRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 what it's like for a player in such a bizarre week at the club. We discuss next steps - with Liam Rosenior reportedly in London to finalise details to become the new head coach. Will he be involved in the preparations ahead of Fulham on Wednesday night? We preview that game *and* Saturday's trip to Charlton in the 3rd round of the FA Cup! We'll be back on Monday to reflect on the matches against Fulham and Charlton - plus a look ahead to the visit of Arsenal in the League Cup semi-final first leg! Join the Straight Outta Cobham FPL League! HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Cerys Jones & Sam Parkin PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 - and why it looks like Liam Rosenior will be the man to take over the helm at Stamford Bridge...Back on Monday with our regularly-scheduled podcast looking back on the trip to Manchester City, plus all the latest news and developments off the field. HOST: Matt Davies-AdamsWITH: Luke Bosher and Simon JohnsonPRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 deliver performances and results considering it's now just two wins in eight matches in all competitions for the Blues. There's no time to dwell on that result - with games against Bournemouth and Manchester City in quick succession to take us into 2026. We look ahead to those and make the case that no one from the bench exactly made a case to be starting in these ones... Plus - a quick look ahead to the January transfer window activity and the importance of the League Cup with nine games to come in a crazy month for the club. We'll be back NEXT MONDAY the 5th of January with our reaction to the Bournemouth and Man City games - plus a look ahead to the trips to Fulham in the Premier League and Charlton in the FA Cup. Strap yourselves in for a crazy January!HOST: Matt Davies-AdamsWITH: Luke Bosher and Simon JohnsonPRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 town next weekend - an Aston Villa side who have won no less than TEN matches in a row in all competitions. So - what can Enzo Maresca's side do to put a stop to their rampant form? And is it another game where they'll rise to the challenge against a top side? Meanwhile CFCW put just the NINE past a sorry Liverpool to book their place in the League Cup semi-finals. And - Chelsea players as Christmas things, anyone? We'll be back next Monday to look back on Saturday's visit of high-flying Villa - and preview the clashes with Bournemouth and Manchester City.HOST: Matt Davies-AdamsWITH: Cerys Jones and Sam ParkinPRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 the gang will have more reaction to the story on Monday's pod - where we'll be reflecting on Saturday's trip to Newcastle as well and looking ahead to the festive fixtures.Host: Adam LeventhalWith: David Ornstein, Oliver Kay, Jack Pitt-Brooke and Simon JohnsonExecutive Producer: Abi PatersonProducer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 2-0 win over the Toffees on Saturday AND the slightly painful but ultimately successful path through to the League Cup semi-finals after the 3-1 win at Cardiff on Tuesday night.There's a look ahead to the slightly daunting trip to St James' Park on Saturday lunchtime - a venue where the Blues have suffered four straight defeats. Plus - there's a big European tie for CFCW, forgotten £50 million men and FPL woes to boot.We'll be back on Monday with our analysis of that game and a look ahead to what the Christmas period has in store for Enzo's side. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Cerys Jones, Luke Bosher and Simon Johnson PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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, Bournemouth and Leeds? And how much pressure does this put on Saturday's game against Everton?Matt will be back with a thorough look at the visit of the Toffees - and a look ahead to the trip to Cardiff in the League Cup! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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' shirt continues...The Blues have to get back to winning ways on Tuesday night, making the trip to Bergamo to face Atalanta in MD6 of the Champions League. The Athletic's Italian football expert James Horncastle sends in his assessment of the challenge the Blues will face against the side who they sit level on points with in the league phase table.Elsewhere, the streak is over! Chelsea Women's unbeaten run ends at 34 games after their shock 1-0 defeat by Everton at Kingsmeadow on Saturday. So does it mean their title hopes are over, sitting six points behind Manchester City at the top of the table?Plus - a chance to hear from Chelsea loanee Leo Castledine - who's impressing at Huddersfield and in a rich vein of goalscoring form in League One!There will be a SOC Extra dropping for you on Wednesday morning off the back of the trip to face Atalanta - before Matt returns with a full squad on Monday to look back on the visit of Everton AND look ahead to the trip to Cardiff in the League Cup on Tuesday night.Join the SOC fantasy leagueRead Simon's piece with Leo CastledineHOST: Matt Davies-AdamsWITH: Luke Bosher and Sam ParkinPRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.