Straight Outta Cobham: The Athletic FC's Chelsea show

The season starts here...maybe...probably not...but maybe...

Matt Davies-Adams has got Jessy Parker Humphreys and Simon Johnson alongside him to look ahead to Saturday's match with Leeds at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea Women go in search of their first silverware of the season when they face familiar foes Arsenal in Sunday's League Cup final. We preview that game - including some of the key team selection quandaries - and the importance of Emma Hayes' big game experience.

We've got a word on the new fan advisory board, a scouting report from Monday's PL2 victory over Arsenal, and....a quiz!!

We'll be back on Monday to reflect on a busy weekend of action - and look ahead to the season-defining second leg with Borussia Dortmund.

Produced by Lucy Oliva.

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This episode is brought to you by Betterhelp, Visit betterhelp.com/cobham today to get 10% off your first month.

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You know it's bad when you lose at Tottenham...

Dom Fifield and Sam Parkin are alongside Matt Davies-Adams for our latest Chelsea pity party following the 2-0 defeat in North London. It's now just two wins in 15 Premier League games for Graham Potter's side - who sit closer to the relegation zone than Champions League places.

We take your thoughts and questions, assess the performance and try and figure out what's next for this team...

Some much needed relief was offered by Chelsea Women after their 2-0 FA Cup win over rivals Arsenal at Kingsmeadow - including yet another goal from Sam Kerr as she adds to her astonishing tally. Jessy Parker-Humphrey's sends us a match report from a *far* more enjoyable result!

And as it's a legal requirement for Sam and Dom to lock horns in a quiz - we've got a bonus Monday edition to lift the spirits, which predictably descends into chaos...

We'll be back on Thursday to look ahead to the visit of Leeds at Stamford Bridge - AND Sunday's Continental Cup final.

Produced by Lucy Oliva.

***

This episode is brought to you by Betterhelp, Visit betterhelp.com/cobham today to get 10% off your first month.

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

You just can't go losing this game...

Matt Davies-Adams is joined by Jessy Parker Humphreys and Liam Twomey to preview Sunday's trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to face fierce rivals Spurs.

The Athletic's Tottenham writer Tim Spiers joins us to give some insight into the North Londoners, who look set to be without a certain Antonio Conte on the sidelines once again...

There's a deep dive into some of the excellent pieces on the site at the moment including the current state of affairs at Cobham - and what the future holds for Mason Mount.

We've got a look ahead to CFCW's return to action as they face Arsenal in the FA Cup on Sunday - plus we heap yet more praise on Lauren James after she starred once again for England as they retained the Arnold Clark Cup.

We round things up with a quiz - and we'll be back on Monday to (HOPEFULLY (!!!!)) reflect on resounding wins for the men and women's teams.

Produced by Lucy Oliva.

***

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Just when you think it can't get any worse...

Simon Johnson and Sam Parkin join Matt Davies-Adams for our latest Chelsea-induced therapy session after the 1-0 defeat to bottom of the table, managerless Southampton at Stamford Bridge.

We question why things are going quite so wrong, whether Graham Potter's future is in doubt, if the relationship with the fans can be salvaged - and what's next in SW6.

We'll be back on Thursday to look ahead to Sunday's trip to North London to take on Tottenham...

Produced by Lucy Oliva.

***

• Get a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase at athleticgreens.com/cobham

• Take advantage of MANSCAPED®’s best valued bundle and save 20% Off and Free Shipping with the code EPL23 at Manscaped.com

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

It's still all to play for, right?

Matt Davies-Adams is joined by Sam Parkin and Jessy Parker Humphreys to reflect on the 1-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie. There were positives to take - but the same old story of chance after chance after chance (!) yet no end product.

There's an immediate gear change back to the Premier League as bottom of the table and managerless Southampton visit Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon. We look ahead to that game and ponder some of Graham Potter's selection headaches.

Of course we've got the latest episode in the Jessy/ Sam quiz saga - and a brief word on the Blues news elsewhere with the CFCW not playing thanks to the international break.

We'll be back on Monday to reflect on that match - and hopefully a much-needed win! - against Southampton.

Produced by Lucy Oliva.

***

This episode is brought to you by Betterhelp, Visit betterhelp.com/cobham today to get 10% off your first month.

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

Five wins in 16 Premier League matches under Graham Potter...

Simon Johnson and Sam Parkin join Matt Davies-Adams to reflect on yet another frustrating afternoon for Chelsea, held to a 1-1 draw at West Ham despite dominating much of the game. We discuss *that* handball, Kai Havertz's struggles, and the pressure on the Blues boss to be more José...

There's no time to rest- with the Champions League returning and the small matter of a trip to Borussia Dortmund in the Round of 16 First Leg on Wednesday night. We'll preview that game and give some potential starting XI's.

We'll be back at the end of the week to look back on that game - and preview Saturday's meeting with bottom of the table Southampton at Stamford Bridge!

Produced by Lucy Oliva.

***

This episode is brought to you by Betterhelp, Visit betterhelp.com/cobham today to get 10% off your first month.

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Hammer time upcoming...

Jessy Parker-Humphreys and the returning Dom Fifield are alongside Matt Davies-Adams to look ahead to the trip to West Ham on Saturday. Who'll feature? Will we see the long-awaited return of James and Chilwell? Can the Blues get their first Premier League away win since October?!

Then - a special treat - as we hear a little taste of Simon's interview with club captain César Azpilicueta, hot off the back of his 500th appearance for the club. Be sure to check out the full interview in The Athletic. Dave talks about his decision to stay amid interest from Barcelona, his job in imparting the CFC DNA into the new arrivals - and why we shouldn't write this season off just yet.

There's a round up of the other Blues news - including a new contract for women's goalkeeper Zećira Mušović - plus a quiz between probably our two most decorated contestants...

We'll be back on Monday to reflect on the result at London Stadium - and look ahead to a trip to Dortmund!

Produced by Lucy Oliva.

***

• Get a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase at athleticgreens.com/cobham

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

So, money can't buy you goals...

Sam Parkin and Liam Twomey are alongside Matt Davies-Adams to look back on the goalless draw between Chelsea and Fulham under the lights at Stamford Bridge. We've got a MEGA voice note from the game - plus some more considered thoughts on Havertz's role, what the priorities should be for the rest of the season, and the tactical battles they face going forward...

Just prior to the game on Friday night we found out that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had been left out of the Champions League squad. We ponder what this means for his future at the club - and Graham Potter's authority. Plus with no room for Benoît Badiashile either - could they be left short at the back with Borussia Dortmund just around the corner?

Elsewhere there was much better news for Chelsea Women, who's 3-2 win at Tottenham - alongside goalless draws for their two title rivals Manchester United and Arsenal - means they've opened up a gap at the top of the WSL table. Evidence once more that Lauren James is a *ridiculously* good footballer!

We'll be back on Thursday to look ahead to the trip to West Ham.

Produced by Lucy Oliva.

***

• Get a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase at athleticgreens.com/cobham

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

And breathe...

Matt Davies-Adams has got Sam Parkin and Jessy Parker Humphreys along for the ride as the January transfer window *finally* slammed shut.

Liam (and Ruby) send us a voice note (trying!) to sum up a bonkers deadline day for Chelsea Football Club - including a new British record transfer fee, a departing vice-captain and an administrative shambles..

Away from the spending - the Blues have got a Premier League match to worry about - with Fulham making the trip to Stamford Bridge on Friday night! We look ahead to that game - and pick a potential, dream starting XI.

There's a round up of the other Blues news - including Chelsea Women's WSL tie against Spurs on Sunday - and our customary Thursday quiz...

We'll be back on Monday to reflect on that game.

Produced by Lucy Oliva.

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

Time for one last, big deal?

The Athletic's Chelsea experts Simon Johnson and Liam Twomey are alongside Matt Davies-Adams as the January transfer window reaches fever pitch...

We round up the arrival of Malo Gusto, check in with the latest on Enzo Fernández - and have news of a promising youngster heading out on loan.

The senior men may not have been in action - but it was bad news elsewhere with defeats in the FA Youth Cup and PL2 - with Simon in attendance at both! Not that we're suggesting there's a correlation (!)

Better news for the women's team though - who booked their place in the last 16 of the FA Cup thanks to a 3-2 win over Liverpool - an a hat-trick for the inevitable Sam Kerr. Jessy Parker-Humphrey's sends us a match report - and news of an audacious transfer bid...

We'll be back on Thursday to round up any last minute deadline day deals and look ahead to the return to Premier League action as a date with Fulham under the lights on Friday night awaits.

Produced by Lucy Oliva.

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