Straight Outta Cobham: The Athletic FC's Chelsea show

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

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

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

They're quite good at this whole Conference League thing... Matt Davies-Adams is joined by Jessy Parker Humphreys and Luke Bosher to look back on the hugely comfortable 4-1 win over Panathinaikos over in Athens which leaves Chelsea with three wins from three in Europe. Liam Twomey was at the match for The Athletic and sends his musings. Will anyone be enough to stop Enzo Maresca's side from going all the way and winning the competition? It's back to the bread and butter of the Premier League on Sunday afternoon as the Blues host Newcastle at Stamford Bridge. There's a look ahead to that game - plus a focus on the fortunes of CFCW so far this season AND a first-time quiz match up as Jessy and Luke go head-to-head in a high-quality contest... We'll be back on Monday to recount the Premier League clash with the Magpies AND look ahead to Wednesday's trip to St James' Park for the second dose of Newcastle in the Carabao Cup. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Jessy Parker Humphreys and Luke Bosher PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The winless streak against Liverpool stretches to 10... Matt Davies-Adams has got Simon Johnson and Luke Bosher with him to look back on Sunday afternoon's 2-1 defeat at Anfield. We talk Reece's return, defensive fragility and the Neto v Sancho selection conundrum - plus a chance to hear from Enzo Maresca in conversation with Simon after the game. The attention turns to Thursday night's Conference League jaunt to Athens to take on Panathinaikos. Plus, Chelsea Women continue their winning start to the season with a 5-2 rout of Spurs - with a simply stunning goal from Johanna Rytting Kaneryd which left some of us choking at the breakfast table! We'll be back on Friday to review the Blues' trip to Greece and look ahead to Sunday's Premier League clash with Newcastle. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Simon Johnson & Luke Bosher PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's about to get real... Matt Davies-Adams has got Liam Twomey and Simon Johnson alongside him as we get back into the swing of domestic matters. We round up all the news from across the international break - including plenty of honours, national team fortunes and the return of Thomas Tuchel... Then it's all eyes on the trip to Anfield! The Athletic's Liverpool correspondent James Pearce stops by to give us an insight into Arne Slot's side ahead of Sunday's game - whilst we take a closer look at the key selection issues going into the clash. There's a round up of CFCW's recent fortunes - and a quiz! We'll be with you again on Monday to look back on the visit to Anfield (if Producer Lucy returns from Miami!) and preview Thursday's trip to Panathinaikos. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Liam Twomey & Simon Johnson PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Those trees are awfully tricky... Matt Davies-Adams is joined by The Athletic's Chelsea experts Simon Johnson and Liam Twomey to look back on Sunday's spicy 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest. So - was it a point gained or two dropped given the circumstances? And what's wrong with Enzo Fernández? Champions League football is back at Stamford Bridge! Chelsea Women get their campaign underway on Tuesday night when they take on Real Madrid. Jessy Parker Humphrey's swings by to preview that game and reflect on their early season fortunes under Sonia Bompastor. We'll be back after the international break to round up all the latest Blues news while we've been away AND look ahead to the huge trip to Anfield to take on Liverpool. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Simon Johnson, Liam Twomey & Jessy Parker-Humphreys PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thursday night under the lights... Matt Davies-Adams has got Simon Johnson and Luke Bosher in tow to look back on the 4-2 victory over Gent in Matchday 1 of the Conference League at Stamford Bridge. Then - it's all eyes on the MDA Derby with Nottingham Forest in town on Sunday afternoon! Plus, CFCW may have the weekend off after the botched scheduling drama - BUT congratulations are in order for Millie Bright... We'll be back on Monday to reflect on Sunday's visit of Forest before pausing for the second international break of the season. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Simon Johnson & Luke Bosher PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Cole's world and we're all just living in it... Matt Davies-Adams has got Simon Johnson and Luke Bosher alongside him to go full fanboy after a truly remarkable showing from Cole Palmer in the crazy 4-2 victory over Brighton on Saturday afternoon. After revelling in that glory it's all eyes on Thursday night's first UEFA Conference League 'League Stage' match - with Belgian side Gent in town. Listener Stephane - who's got a foot in both camps - give us an insight into what Chelsea can expect from the visitors. Plus, CFCW continued their perfect start to the season with a whopping 7-0 win at Crystal Palace. Jessy Parker Humphrey's drops in to give us the lowdown - and the latest on some scheduling shenanigans... We'll be back on Friday to reflect on the Blues' Conference League exploits the night before - and look ahead to Sunday's visit of Nottingham Forest! HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Luke Bosher, Simon Johnson, Liam Twomey & Jessy Parker Humphreys PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Not a bad whole new starting XI... Matt Davies-Adams has got Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey with him for your second weekly dose of Chelsea chat. The Blues cruised into the fourth round of the League Cup following their 5-0 victory over League Two Barrow... we look back on the game and hear from Pedro Neto in conversation with our very own Simon Johnson, who scored his first goal for the club. Then it's all eyes on Saturday's game against unbeaten Brighton at Stamford Bridge. We weigh up the chances of Christopher Nkunku starting - and rate the overall prospects against Fabian Hürzeler's side. There's a word on CFCW's second Friday night game in succession as they prepare to face newly promoted Crystal Palace, plus all the other Blues news AND the latest quiz match up between Bosher and Twomey... We'll be back on Monday to round up the visit of the Seagulls - and look ahead to the start of the Europa Conference League proper - with Belgian outfit Gent in town on Thursday night. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Liam Twomey and Luke Bosher PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10 goals in 12 London derbies already? Matt Davies-Adams has got two of The Athletic's finest - Simon Johnson and Liam Twomey - alongside him to look back on the impressive 3-0 win over West Ham at London Stadium on Saturday. We heap praise on Nicholas Jackson and Moisés Caicedo for their stellar performances - hear from Tosin in the mixed zone with Simon - and reflect on the presence of Todd Boehly AND Behdad Eghbali in the posh seats... Plus, there were a big three points to kick off their WSL campaign and title defence for Sonia Bompastor's CFCW - 1-0 winners against Aston Villa on Friday night. We'll be back on Thursday to reflect on the League Cup third round tie against Barrow AND look ahead to Saturday's visit of Brighton. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Liam Twomey & Simon Johnson PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva (who apologises for the late publication of the podcast due to flight chaos on the way back from New York!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Davies Adams is back with Liam Twomey and Simon Johnson alongside him to assess a relatively relaxing week by recent Chelsea standards. We talk changes up top for the game against West Ham, who would get your nod between Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku? And a listener asks who’s the right choice for right back with both Malo Gusto and Reece James out injured? Plus, who'll triumph in the latest quiz?! We'll be back next Thursday to reflect on the trip to the London stadium - and look ahead to hosting Brighton at the Bridge. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Liam Twomey & Simon Johnson PRODUCER: Steve Hankey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Has anyone got a spare yellow card? Matt Davies-Adams is joined by two of The Athletic's finest - Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey - to look back on the scrappy 1-0 win at Bournemouth on Saturday night. We talk big stops from Robert Sánchez, a 45 minute debut to remember for Jadon Sancho - love for Renato Veiga and eye catching headlines... Then, it's all eyes on the WSL as the Sonia Bompastor era officially begins on Friday evening. We draft in our friend Jessy Parker Humphreys to preview the opening day clash against Aston Villa - and hopes for the upcoming season. We'll be back on Thursday to look ahead to Saturday's visit to West Ham - and take another look at Friday night's WSL opener against Villa. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Luke Bosher, Liam Twomey & Jessy Parker Humphreys PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fun fact: it's never, ever, ever, EVER dull at Chelsea Football Club. Matt Davies Adams is back with Liam Twomey and Simon Johnson alongside him to reflect on all the latest Blues news we've missed during the international break. Spoiler alert... quite a lot has happened! We talk ownership crisis and stadium moves - before turning our attention to Saturday night's visit to Bournemouth. Plus, who'll triumph in the latest quiz?! We'll be back on Monday to reflect on the trip to the seaside - and look ahead to the start of the WSL season! HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Liam Twomey & Simon Johnson PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The streak is over... Matt Davies-Adams has got Liam Twomey and Dom Fifield in tow to reflect on the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge. Simon Johnson was in place and sent us his match report - plus we speculate about the role that Christopher Nkunku will have in this team going forward. There's a chance to round up some of the deadline day antics we missed on Friday - including the late arrival of Jadon Sancho and departure of Raheem Sterling and Trevoh Chalobah... Plus - pack your bags for Kazakhstan! We're all going on a Conference League adventure! We're taking our own international break - but we'll be back on Thursday 12th September to look ahead to the trip to Bournemouth and round up any of the Blues news we might have missed. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Dom Fifield & Liam Twomey PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

They made very hard work of it... Matt Davies-Adams is joined by The Athletic's Simon Johnson and Dom Fifield to look back on their slightly perilous progress in the Conference League despite the 2-1 defeat by Servette out in Geneva. Liam Twomey was there and sent us an on the whistle report. Our slightly dicey time of recording - Friday morning - means there may have been *plenty* of Deadline Day fun in the meantime - BUT we discuss the latest ins and outs anyway! Then - it's all eyes on the Dom Derby as we preview the visit of Crystal Palace to Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon. Plus - a round up of the latest Blues news elsewhere and an alternative quiz... We'll be back on Monday to reflect on events against the Eagles ahead of the first international break of the season. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Simon Johnson, Dom Fifield & Liam Twomey PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

That's one way to end the Molineux hoodoo! It's a jubilant Bank Holiday pod record as Matt Davies-Adams is joined by Liam Twomey and Luke Bosher to look back on the 6-2 thrashing of Wolverhampton Wanderers. We salute Noni and his Instagram antics, laud goal and assist machine Cole Palmer - and wonder whether the signs are there that this team could be gelling after a long and tumultuous summer. There's the latest transfer gossip with less than a week to go until the window *slams* shut - including the latest on Armando Broja's departure - and rumours of an approach for Jadon Sancho?! The Blues are back in action on Thursday night as they head out to Switzerland to take on Servette - with a two-goal advantage in their UEFA Conference League play-off tie. Plus - CFCW continued their winning start under Sonia Bompastor with a 1-0 win over Arsenal Stateside. We'll be back on Friday to hopefully report on a smooth-sailing victory in Geneva AND a serene transfer deadline day... HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Luke Bosher & Liam Twomey PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A win's a win... Matt Davies-Adams has got Simon Johnson and Luke Bosher alongside him as we reflect on the first competitive victory of the Enzo Maresca reign in their 2-0 win over Servette on Thursday night. We take a closer look at some of the explosive comments in Enzo's pre-match press conference regarding the size of the squad and futures of Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell. Simon was in the room to witness the spiciness. Then - it's all eyes on Sunday afternoon's trip to Wolves - a place that has NOT been a happy hunting ground for the Blues in recent years. The Athletic's Wolves expert Steve Madeley joins us to shine the spotlight on Gary O'Neil's side. Oh - and it wouldn't be a Thursday (or Friday!) pod without a quiz... We'll be back on Monday to reflect on the trip to Molineux and look ahead to the Conference League second leg out in Geneva. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Simon Johnson, Luke Bosher & Steve Madeley PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well... it could have been worse?! Matt Davies-Adams is joined by The Athletic's Chelsea experts Liam Twomey and Simon Johnson to look back on the 2-0 opening day defeat by Manchester City at Stamford Bridge. We try and take the positives - including the performance of Romeo Lavia, discuss the Enzo Fernández conundrum after he was handed the armband - and shine the spotlight on the debutants thrown on to try and make their mark. Build-up to the game was somewhat overshadowed by a bombshell statement released by Raheem Sterling's camp after he was left out of the matchday squad. We ponder what the wider ramifications could be going forward.... Then, it's all eyes on Thursday night - as the Blues begin their voyage to officially 'win it all' in their first appearance in the UEFA Conference League. We'll be back on Friday to reflect on the play-off first leg against Servette - and look ahead to the tricky trip to Molineux! HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Liam Twomey and Simon Johnson PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here we go again! Matt Davies-Adams has got two of The Athletic's finest - Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey alongside him to build-up to the first game of the 2024-25 Premier League season. We begin with the latest on the Conor Gallagher/ João Félix saga - and the news that Mauricio Pochettino is in line to become the new USMNT boss! Then it's onto some brief predictions for the campaign ahead - before we turn out attention to Sunday's visitors Manchester City with the help of City correspondent Sam Lee. Plus - after a big win in pre-season, can Liam carry that confidence into the first quiz of the new campaign? We'll be back on Monday to reflect on the opening day shenanigans and look forward to midweek UEFA Conference League fun... HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Luke Bosher, Liam Twomey & Sam Lee PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices