Straight Outta Cobham: The Athletic FC's Chelsea show

26 goals in six games... don't you just love Thursday nights?

Matt Davies-Adams in joined by two of The Athletic’s finest - Luke Bosher and Simon Johnson to round off a rather eventful week at Chelsea Football Club.

We begin with matters on the pitch, and another thumping Conference League victory on Thursday night as the Blues beat Shamrock Rovers 5-1 to make it six wins from six in the league phase. We praise the tenacity of Marc Guiu, the impressive showing from Josh Acheampong and the future of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

Next up a trip to unhappy hunting ground Goodison Park awaits! We preview Sunday’s trip to Merseyside as the Blues look to end a run which has seen them lose five of their last six visits to Everton.

But before that, we discuss the news which broke on Tuesday morning that  Mykhailo Mudryk has been provisionally suspended by the FA after an "adverse finding in a routine urine test".

Plus, there’s a round up of the rest of the Blues news elsewhere including another Champions League win for CFCW - and the last quiz of the year! 

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams

WITH: Luke Bosher and Simon Johnson

PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

They just can't stop winning...

Matt Davies-Adams is joined by Simon Johnson and Luke Bosher to reflect on the frantic 2-1 victory over Brentford at Stamford Bridge.

After three straight defeats to the Bees at home the curse is finally over! We heap praise on the relentless Moisés Caicedo, bemoan Marc Cucurella's full-time ill-discipline - and Enzo tells us why Chelsea STILL aren't in the title race.

Then, there's one last Conference League group phase game to navigate as Dublin's Shamrock Rovers make the trip to Stamford Bridge on matchday six. We ponder team selection and issue an apology for our incorrect naming conventions!

Plus, CFCW's bid for a perfect season came to an end as they were held to a surprise 1-1 draw by WSL strugglers Leicester City. No such problems for the under-18s though, who produced a stunning comeback to progress to the 4th round of the FA Youth Cup at the expense of the Foxes. 

We'll be back on Friday to reflect on that final Conference League group game against Shamrock Rovers AND look ahead to Sunday's final trip to Goodison Park.

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams

WITH: Luke Bosher and Simon Johnson

PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Turns out it *really* is really, really cold in Kazakhstan...

Matt Davies-Adams has got Jessy Parker Humphreys, Liam Twomey and a whole load of special guests all the way over in Almaty as Chelsea made their longest ever trip for European competition - and came out on top with a comfortable 3-1 win in arctic conditions.

We speak to fans from far and wide about their love for the club - and what made them make the 3000+ mile journey to follow the Blues abroad!

Attention then turns to Sunday night's showdown with fellow West Londoners Brentford, who rather enjoy playing at Stamford Bridge...

Plus - Jessy brings us up to speed with the latest goings on for the women's team - and we do a quiz!

We'll be back on Monday with our reflections on the visit of bogey team the Bees and a look ahead to the final Conference League group game against Shamrock Rovers!

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams

WITH: Liam Twomey and Jessy Parker Humphreys

PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another thoroughly entertaining and rewarding trip to Three Point Lane...

Matt Davies-Adams has got The Athletic's Chelsea finest - Simon Johnson and Liam Twomey alongside him to look back on the crazy 4-3 victory over Tottenham on Sunday afternoon.

We try and unpack the carnage that unfolded with the help of your messages - including how the turnaround came about, love for Sancho - and quelling of talk of title charges.

Then, anyone for a trip to Kazakstan?! We preview Thursday's arctic encounter with Astana.

Elsewhere, Chelsea Women returned from the international break with yet another victory - this time beating previous banana skin Brighton 4-2. Sonia Bompastor's side are back in action against Twente in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

We'll be back on Friday (or maybe late Thursday night if Producer Lucy can stay awake in Almaty and finish the edit in time) to reflect on the latest Conference League adventure and preview Sunday evening's visit of Brentford.

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams

WITH: Liam Twomey and Simon Johnson

PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

That did the old goal difference no harm at all...

Matt Davies-Adams is joined by Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey to look back on the 5-1 thumping of a sorry Southampton at St Mary's on Wednesday night. Simon Johnson sends his post-match thoughts on what he described as the 'unrecognisable feel-good factor' around the club at the moment after yet another impressive victory for Enzo Maresca's side.

But it means nothing if they can't go across to their old friends in North London and get a result on Sunday afternoon...

The Athletic's Tottenham report Jay Harris stops by to give us an insight into Ange Postecoglou's enigmatic Spurs side ahead of the big meeting in N17.

CFCW are back in action on Sunday as they host Brighton - looking to make it eight wins from eight in the WSL. Plus - who'll come out on top in the quiz?!

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams

WITH: Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey

PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So... should we be talking about Chelsea as serious contenders?!

Matt Davies-Adams has got two of the Athletic's finest - Luke Bosher and Simon Johnson alongside him to run the rule over the highly convincing 3-0 win over Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon. Liam Twomey was on site and sent his dispatch as Enzo and co received the plaudits from a jubilant crowd.

The Blues will be hoping to bottle up the current positivity when they make the trip to Southampton on Wednesday evening. We look ahead to that game against an injury and suspension-ravaged Saints side.

We'll be back on Thursday to reflect on the trip to St Mary's and look ahead to the small matter of Sunday's showdown with Tottenham in North London!

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams

WITH: Luke Bosher and Simon Johnson

PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Climbing that hill was worth it...

Matt Davies-Adams has got Jessy Parker Humphreys and Dom Fifield with him to look back on the 2-0 Conference League victory over Heidenheim out in Germany.

Back to Premier League matters on Sunday - with a faltering Aston Villa in town having won just 1 of their last 7 in the league. So, would a win here mean Chelsea need to start to be considered serious contenders for a top four spot - or even higher?

As usual we exploit Jessy for their WSL expertise to check in on the rather excellent fortunes of CFCW - before a quiz AND some Nicholas Jackson karaoke...

We'll be back on Monday to reflect on Sunday's Aston Villa match and look ahead to the midweek trip to Southampton!

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams

WITH: Jessy Parker Humphreys and Dom Fifield

PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anyone else fancy kicking lumps out of Cole Palmer?

Matt Davies-Adams has got Liam Twomey and Simon Johnson along for the ride to look back on the 2-1 victory at Leicester - which was in truth far more comfortable a win than the scoreline suggested. We lavish praise on Nicholas Jackson and take a closer look at some of the tactical tweaks Enzo Maresca made in a pretty experimental line up.

Then, The Athletic's German football correspondent Seb Stafford-Bloor stops by to give us the inside line on Thursday's Europa Conference League opponents Heidenheim - and their very large hill!

Plus, guess what?! Chelsea Women won again!

We'll be back on Friday to reflect on Thursday night's German adventure AND preview Sunday's visit of Aston Villa to Stamford Bridge.

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams

WITH: Simon Johnson, Liam Twomey & Seb Stafford-Bloor

PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.