Straight Outta Cobham: The Athletic FC's Chelsea show

4.8 (254)
SOCCER
UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

The Athletic's Chelsea experts - Simon Johnson, Liam Twomey, Dom Fifield and Luke Bosher - are alongside host Matt Davies-Adams to bring you behind the scenes at Stamford Bridge. Expect unrivalled insight, honest opinion and stimulating debate.

14 HR. AGO

Enzo heads back to Leicester as Reece James is ruled out again

Not the kind of news we wanted to start with... Matt Davies-Adams has got Liam Twomey and Luke Bosher alongside him to get back in the swing of things ahead of Saturday's Enzo Maresca Derby. But before we get to the game - we start with the news that Reece James has suffered yet another injury setback - picking up a hamstring problem in the international break. It was revealed by Enzo Maresca in his pre-match press conference shortly after we'd finished recording - so we jumped back on to hear from the boss and give our reflections on the latest bad news for the club captain. Then it's back to focusing on the Foxes - with talk of midfield dynamics, tricky wingers and favourable fixtures - plus a special guest to give us some insight into Saturday's hosts... There was more joy for CFCW as they cruised to a 3-0 win over Celtic at Stamford Bridge to progress to the quarterfinals with two games to spare - plus we bid an emotional farewell to Hilário - and do a quiz! We'll return on Monday to look back on the trip to the Kingpower and preview Thursday's visit to Germany to take on Heidenheim in the Conference League. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

58 min
3 DAYS AGO

Chelsea take charge of WSL title race - plus a tactical deep-dive and returning legends

Chelsea Women are *literally* perfect... Matt Davies-Adams and Liam Twomey are with you for your Monday dose of Straight Outta Cobham. Jessy Parker Humphreys drops in to reflect on the huge 2-0 victory for CFCW over title rivals Manchester City at Stamford Bridge - which leaves Sonia Bompastor's side with seven wins from seven and a hugely significant three points against their closest challengers. Then, The Athletic's football data writer Thom Harris stops by to give us an insight into some of the tactical intricacies of Enzo Maresca's Blues - including whether there's any fitting Christopher Nkunku into the current system, Cole Palmer's best role, and whether the omission of Enzo Fernandez is actually costing Chelsea from an attacking perspective... There's a brief whistle-stop tour around some of the international action, plus a word on the latest FFP implications - and we revisit the 'which former player would you bring back and put in the current team?' debate! We'll be back on Thursday to look ahead to Saturday's trip to Leicester - and bring you the result from Wednesday's visit of Celtic in the Women's Champions League. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Liam Twomey, Jessy Parker Humphries and Thom Harris PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

45 min
NOV 14

Mailbag special: unhappy Nkunku, keeper conundrums and shirt sponsors

Is the proper football back yet? Matt Davies-Adams has got Luke Bosher and Simon Johnson with him to tackle some of your questions as we try and pass the hours in the never tedious international break. We touch on defensive fragility, the A/B team dynamic, the latest on the ownership fallout - and tips for getting into sport journalism! Elsewhere, Chelsea Women continued their perfect start to the season with a 2-1 victory over Celtic in the Champions League. Jessy Parker Humphreys sends their thoughts on the latest win for Sonia Bompastor's side. Plus - how much do you remember about the season so far? There's a quiz for that... We'll be back on Monday to take a closer look at Chelsea's season so far - and check in with Jessy to see how CFCW have fared in arguably their biggest test of the season so far against title rivals Manchester City in the WSL. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Luke Bosher and Simon Johnson PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 3m
NOV 11

Neto's superb strike earns a point against Arsenal

Welcome back, Kai... Two of The Athletic's finest - Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey - are alongside Matt Davies-Adams as we reflect on the feisty and tesne 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. We question the signs of progress against the 'big' sides, Enzo's team tinkering with captain Reece James on the bench - and the continuing Robert Sánchez sized elephant in the room. Elsewhere, Chelsea Women just keep doing Chelsea Women things in a 3-0 win at Liverpool to extend their perfect start to the WSL season to six wins from six! It might be the international break, but we'll be back with you on Thursday AND Monday this time round to keep you right across all the latest Blues news in the never dull world of Chelsea Football Club. Follow us on X: x.com/SOCobhamPod Email us: soc@theathletic.com HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

49 min
NOV 8

Noah swept aside - now do Chelsea need a statement victory over Arsenal?

They only managed eight?!? Matt Davies-Adams is joined by Jessy Parker Humphreys and Simon Johnson to revel in the good vibes felt at Stamford Bridge following the 8-0 victory over Noah in the Europa Conference League. It's prompted more questions about the benefits of Chelsea being in the competition and whether they're 'too big' to be competing at this level - but we've all been drinking the ECL Kool-Aid! It's fair to say the test on Sunday will be a *little bit* tougher - with Arsenal making the visit to SW6 to take on the Blues - who haven't beaten the Gunners since August 2021. Adrian Clarke stops by to give us an insight into Mikel Arteta's side - including their injury concerns and the impact (or lack thereof) that Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz have had so far at The Emirates... We touch base with the women's side ahead of their trip to take on Liverpool on Sunday, round up a disappointing cup exit for the U21's - and do a quiz! We'll be back on Monday for all the fallout from that huge clash with Arsenal - plus all the other Blues news from across a busy weekend. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Simon Johnson and Jessy Parker Humphreys PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 4m
NOV 4

Caicedo spares Chelsea's blushes in underwhelming draw at Man United

The wait for an Old Trafford win goes on... Matt Davies-Adams has got two of The Athletic's finest - Simon Johnson and Luke Bosher - alongside him to look back on the frustrating 1-1 draw with Manchester United. We dissect the potential imbalance in Maresca's system, ponder the back line conundrum - and wonder whether Chelsea will ever score from a set piece again... Then it's all eyes on Thursday night - with Armenian outfit Noah in town on matchday three of the Europa Conference League. Who needs minutes most? Who's got to take their chance? And who are Noah?! Meanwhile, Chelsea Women continued their blistering start to the season as they made it a perfect five wins from five for Sonia Bompastor's side in the WSL after their 5-0 thrashing of Everton at Goodison Park. We'll be back on Friday to reflect on the visit of Noah and preview Sunday's mouthwatering showdown with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Luke Bosher and Simon Johnson PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

53 min
OCT 31

Chelsea's B team dumped out of League Cup ahead of trip to unhappy hunting ground Old Trafford

11 changes too many... Matt Davies-Adams has got Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey with him to look back on the disappointing 2-0 cup exit at the hands of Newcastle on Wednesday night. We ponder the wisdom of the decision to field an entirely changed XI - and whether we should be worried about the disparity in quality between the 'A' and 'B' teams. Now to see whether the changes were worth it - as Chelsea prepare for a trip to face Ruud van Nistelrooy's Manchester United. The Athletic's Carl Anka is on hand to help us gauge the mood around Old Trafford following the departure of Erik ten Hag as Enzo Maresca's side look to end a torrid run of form which has seen them fail to win on the road at United since 2013!! There's a round up of the Blues news elsewhere - with CFCW back in action after the international break with a trip to Everton on Sunday night. And of course - we finish with a quiz with a Manchester United flavour... We'll be back on Monday to reflect on events at Old Trafford and preview the midweek visit of Armenian outfit Noah in the Conference League. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Liam Twomey, Luke Bosher & Carl Anka PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1 hr
OCT 28

Palmer steals the headlines yet again in win over Newcastle

The Magpies double-header is off to a good start... Matt Davies-Adams has got The Athletic's Liam Twomey and Luke Bosher alongside him to look back on Sunday afternoon's 2-1 victory over Newcastle in the Premier League. We eulogise over *that* Palmer pass, discuss the return of Reece James amid questions over his 'leadership' credentials - and wonder what this line-up tells us about Enzo's roll in midfield... There's not long to wait until the next match-up with Eddie Howe's men - off to St James' Park on Wednesday night in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup. We pick our starting XI's for that game and ponder the importance of this competition. We'll be back on Thursday to look back on that cup tie AND look ahead of Sunday's trip to Old Trafford to take on a beleaguered Manchester United (new manager bounce, anyone?! Sigh) HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Liam Twomey & Luke Bosher PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

44 min

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4.8

out of 5

254 Ratings

Top Tier

Oct 22

Colonel Dawson

Clearly the best Chelsea focused pod out there. All panel members are well balanced and highly qualified. I look forward to every edition.
Matt is the MVP

Oct 13

NickPH!

Really enjoy this pod. Quality over quantity, I always miss this over the international break. Matt does a great job keeping it light and torturing Simon and Liam with the quiz. Makes sure to give the women’s team their due with the fantastic Jesse Parker Humphreys. Only bad part is the rambling voice notes after matches. Great listen!
Excellent

Oct 11

AlexHiggins64

Love this show!
Only Chelsea pod I need

Oct 4

KFJ94

Great insights on all things Chelsea, and not just the men’s team but also our WSL superstar. Intelligent, fun show

The Athletic's Chelsea experts - Simon Johnson, Liam Twomey, Dom Fifield and Luke Bosher - are alongside host Matt Davies-Adams to bring you behind the scenes at Stamford Bridge. Expect unrivalled insight, honest opinion and stimulating debate.