Straight Outta Cobham: The Athletic FC's Chelsea show

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 cold, how much pressure there is to get a result in front of expectant home fans and whether this is a must win for any hopes of a top five finish - or whether there's still plenty of room for slip ups in the run-in... Plus - would Chelsea make a move for Andoni Iraola? What kind of crowds should we expect at the pre-match protests before Saturday's game? And can you name the last 10 men to play for both sides? We'll be back on Monday with a look back at events at the Bridge on Saturday evening - and a look ahead to Tuesday night's trip to Brighton as the season enters its final stretch. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Cerys Jones and Luke Bosher PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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's tenure with things seemingly souring quickly - and results and performances continuing to deteriorate? There is at least a bit of positivity to come out of Cobham for the U18's and U21's in their respective leagues. We'll be back on Thursday with a look ahead to the visit of Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday evening. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Simon Johnson & Sam Parkin PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 time since 1998?! Plus - a deep dive on who we think will be wearing the captain's armband this weekend - and whether we're going to have to reopen the never tedious starting goalkeeper debate... Oh - and neither Luke or Liam cover themselves in glory when tasked with naming the last 10 footballers who've made at least one Premier League appearance for both Chelsea and Manchester City. We'll be back on Monday (probably slightly later in the day because Producer Lucy may or may not be on holiday, sorry!) to capture all the fallout from events at the Bridge on Sunday. https://fantasy.premierleague.com/leagues/auto-join/7lntvq League Code: 7lntvq HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 didn't manage to score once he'd come on? Plus - a chance to touch upon some of the ongoing drama behind the scenes at the club - with Enzo Fernandez's two-game benching, Cucurella's comments, the race to finish in the top five - and Mudryk training in Uxbridge! We'll be back on Thursday with a comprehensive look ahead to the visit of Manchester City in the Premier League. https://fantasy.premierleague.com/leagues/auto-join/7lntvq League Code: 7lntvq HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Liam Twomey and Sam Parkin PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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... no thanks to some of the officiating on show. Then - we turn our attention to the visit of bottom of League One Port Vale in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. They couldn't do a Bradford - could they?! Plus - more news of a financial variety as the club announce the biggest pre-tax loss in Premier League history... winning something at least, eh?! We'll be back on Monday to look back on the visit of the Valiants - and surely be celebrating safe passage to an FA Cup semi-final?! HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Cerys Jones and Luke Bosher PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 in rainy north London - before pondering whether the Blues can turn things around in the return leg back at Stamford Bridge next Wednesday. How damaging would it be if Sonia Bompastor's side got knocked out at this stage and then also failed to qualify for the competition next season? Plus, we shine the spotlight on what's going on behind the scenes at the club - with news of big departures on and off the pitch, recruitment uncertainty, questions over the best stadium to play at moving forward - and whether the new model the club is operating under as a whole will have a detrimental impact on CFCW. We're taking a short international break of our own - but we'll be back next Thursday to look back on the 2nd leg contest - and a look ahead to the visit of Port Vale for the men's side in the FA Cup. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Cerys Jones, Charlotte Harpur & Cerys Jones PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 the table?! With Champions League football next season looking fanciful in this current state... It might be time to regroup for the men's side over the international break - but CFCW have got the small matter of a Champions League quarter-final against Arsenal on Tuesday night to look ahead to. We preview that game - and some big contractual news to come out of the club with a couple of legends looking set to depart. Plus - an unfortunate trip down memory lane to that 2022-23 campaign - surely it can't get that bad?!! We'll be back with a special show on Wednesday shining the spotlight on CFCW and hoping for a night to remember for Sonia Bompastor's side under the lights at the Emirates. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Simon Johnson and Cerys Jones PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 the eyes of Chelsea fans? And will this embarrassment on the biggest stage make the club hierarchy reconsider their approach to this 'project'? The mood is very high going into the first ever trip to the Hill Dickinson then (!) - we look ahead to that match. Plus - racking our brains for players who found the net at Goodison... We'll be back on Monday to look back on the trip to Everton - will the Blues be heading into the international break on a much-needed high? HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Luke Bosher and Simon Johnson PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 £10million fine from the Premier League relating to breaches of financial rules during Roman Abramovich’s time as owner. If that wasn't fun enough - we get stuchin into the farcical pre-match huddle situation - before finally focusing on the lowlights of the 1-0 defeat by Newcastle. Things don't get much easier - with PSG in town on Tuesday with the unenviable task of trying to overcome a 5-2 deficit. As has so often been the case in the past - thank goodness for CFCW! They picked up their first silverware of the season thanks to the 2-0 League Cup final victory over Manchester United. We'll be back on Wednesday to look back on the miracle against PSG????! And a look ahead to Saturday evening's trip to Everton... and any other bad news that wants to darken our door in the meantime! HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Simon Johnson and Liam Twomey PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 the visit of Newcastle on Saturday evening. We've got a look ahead to that - where we hope Eddie Howe's side will be resting players with one eye on Barca seeing as they've still got something to play for in that tie?! Plus - there's silverware on offer this weekend! CFCW take on Manchester United in the League Cup final at Ashton Gate. We preview the first final of the season for Sonia Bompastor's side. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Cerys Jones and Sam Parkin PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 on the wing so limited. Then, we turn our attention on another jetsetting trip for the Blues - from Wrexham to Paris! It's a Club World Cup final rematch as Chelsea travel to take on the reigning French and European champions PSG. We'll be back on Thursday morning with all the fallout from events at the Parc des Princes - and a look ahead to the trip to Newcastle on Saturday evening. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Simon Johnson and Liam Twomey PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 sensational form - and whether this game was proof that playing the big teams in this difficult upcoming run could actually prove to be in Chelsea's favour. Next up - Wrexham in the FA Cup! The Athletic's Wrexham reporter Richard Sutcliffe drops by to give us the lowdown on Saturday's hosts - who are going for back-to-back-to-back-to-back promotions - and will certainly be up for the cup when they welcome a Premier League side to the Racecourse Ground - aspiring to be in the top flight with them next season. We'll be back on Monday to discuss that fixture AND look ahead to the small matter of PSG in the Champions League round of 16 1st leg on Wednesday night! HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Luke Bosher, Liam Twomey & Simon Johnson PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Arsenal and Chelsea in this current iteration - and the latest red card in a shocking string of inexcusable dismissals which have cost the Blues so dearly. There's no time to sulk though - with a trip to Birmingham and a faltering Aston Villa on Wednesday night. The hosts have only won two of their last seven in the league - and Rosenior's side could close the gap on them to three points if they could come away with a win. Plus, our thoughts on a meeting with Club World Cup friends PSG in the Champions League which is just around the corner... We're back in your ears on Thursday with reaction from the trip to Villa - and a look ahead to the visit to Wrexham in the 5th round of the FA Cup! HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Luke Bosher and Simon Johnson PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 come into the back-line?! And which approach will come out on top in the balance between caution and proactiveness? Then - Simon Johnson pops by to talk us through his interview with Omari Kellyman - who is flourishing on loan at high-flying Cardiff City after a difficult start to his life at Chelsea plagued by injury. We hear from the man himself about the support he received from the likes of Reece James - who's proved that a comeback from serious setbacks is possible. Plus - who takes the ill-discipline crown in our latest Chelsea Top 10's? We'll be back on Monday to reflect on event at The Emirates - and look ahead to the midweek trip to Birmingham to take on top five rivals Aston Villa! HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Luke Bosher, Sam Parkin & Simon Johnson PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Elsewhere, new shirt sponsor alert! We're only seven months into the season - but we've got an IFS.ai update - and why the club aren't in a rush to secure a long-term front of shirt partner... As we've said so often in the past - thank goodness for CFCW! It wasn't pretty - but they booked their place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup thanks to a 2-1 win over Manchester United AET. Cerys was there and sent her thoughts on what could prove to be a crucial victory to set the tone for the rest of the season. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Simon Johnson and Liam Twomey PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 from defensive set-pieces this season!? And how important is this game to cement their position as a top-five side given they've already dropped points against Sunderland and Leeds at home... Plus - can Chelsea Women progress in the FA Cup? They host frequent foes Manchester United in the fifth round of Sunday - we preview that game. And most importantly - which Chelsea player would you most like to go on holiday with? That's the kind of content you come for! We'll be back on Monday to run the rule over Saturday's visit of Burnley - and discuss whether CFCW have booked their place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup! Join the Straight Outta Cobham FPL League! HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Cerys Jones and Liam Twomey PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 *actual* midweek without football for the first time since the end of December - we wonder what Liam Rosenior will be prioritising on the training pitch now he's got some time with his players for the first time! Plus - CFCW reacted to a difficult week off the pitch in a positive manner - beating Liverpool 2-0 in the WSL to keep their hopes of a top three finish alive. We'll be back on Wednesday to look ahead to Saturday's visit of Burnley to Stamford Bridge - and CFCW's FA Cup 5th round FA Cup tie with Manchester United! HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Luke Bosher and Simon Johnson PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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! HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Luke Bosher, Liam Twomey and Megan Feringa PRODUCER: 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. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Cerys Jones and Simon Johnson PRODUCER: 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-Adams WITH: Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.