Straight Outta Cobham: The Athletic FC's Chelsea show

It’s part three of the Straight Outta Cobham team’s summer squad review and it’s time to sort out who on earth’s going to be playing in midfield for the Blues next season.

Enzo Fernandez is the main name on the lips of Matt Davies-Adams, Simon Johnson and Cerys Jones. Is he off to Real Madrid? And if so, is it going to take all summer to happen?

Might a disappointing World Cup for Ecuador be a good thing for Moises Caicedo? What does the future hold for Andrey Santos and will Romeo Lavia ever complete 90 minutes in a Chelsea shirt?

The team also look into the fixture schedule for next season and discuss the compensation situation that’s complicated Enzo Maresca’s inevitable switch to become Manchester City manager.

Produced by Lucy Oliva & Xavi Bird.

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

Marc Cucurella is on his way to Real Madrid and he’s timed it perfectly just ahead of the Straight Outta Cobham team’s review of Chelsea’s defensive unit.

Matt Davies-Adams is joined by Liam Twomey and Sam Parkin to discuss what the Spaniard's exit might mean for the rest of the squad. Is Jorrel Hato the main benefiter at left back?

How might Xabi Alonso get the best out of captain Reece James next season? Will it be with a back three? And might that be good news for Malo Gusto?

The team also look into the many options at centre back, who they think should stay and go, and also who they might like to see arrive in the transfer window.

Produced by Lucy Oliva and Xavi Bird

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

The summer is here and it’s squad review time for the Straight Outta Cobham team.

Matt Davies-Adams is joined by Liam Twomey and Cerys Jones to discuss all things goalkeepers. Has it been the weakest position during the BlueCo era? And how might they go about fixing it?

Will Robert Sanchez still be between the sticks next season or is Mike Penders the answer? It’s not going to be either Filip Jorgensen or Gaga Slonina… they’re both on their way out. Might there be incomings in their place?

The team are also joined by special guest Rupert Cane, author of “Behind the Bench: The untold stories of Chelsea’s third-choice goalkeepers”, who tells us about the unique perspective of one of football’s strangest roles.

You can buy a copy and donate to Rupert’s Kickstarter here: 

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/behindthebench/behind-the-bench/description

All this, plus the latest on Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernandez.

Produced by Xavi Bird and Lucy Oliva.

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

World Cup pending...

Matt Davies-Adams has got Liam Twomey and Sam Parkin alongside him for our first podcast of the summer break.

And we're taking a deep-dive into the Chelsea FC representation at the 2026 World Cup - with the first game of the tournament kicking off in just a week and a half.

Plus, what about some of the high-profile Blues who won't be out in Mexico, Canada or the USA this summer? We discuss what a break will mean for the likes of Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro, back at Cobham and working with new boss Xabi Alonso.

We've also got the latest transfer chat - as it's emerged that Marc Cucurella could be on his way out of Stamford Bridge - but could there be a glorious return to the fold for Nicolas Jackson? And what about an approach for Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers?!

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams

WITH: Liam Twomey and Sam Parkin

PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva

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

Signing off on a sorry season...

Matt Davies-Adams has got the whole SOC squad alongside him for a round up of the 2025-26 season for Chelsea Football Club.

What are the main takeaways and reflections on this crazy campaign? What does not being in Europe mean from a financial perspective? Who have been the big winners and losers in the squad? And what's top of Xabi Alonso's to-do list heading into the summer?!

We'll be with you throughout the summer with squad audits, mailbags, academy check-ins, CFC at the World Cup - and assessing the rather large job the new boss has got on his hands! 

Thanks for all your continued support and for joining us throughout the season.

Take part in our survey and let us know what you want from SOC going forward! forms.gle/S7Qdv1iPPnaemtps7

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams

WITH: Luke Bosher, Simon Johnson, Cerys Jones, Liam Twomey & Sam Parkin

PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva

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

A dire end to a dire season...

Matt Davies-Adams is joined by Simon Johnson and Sam Parkin for a look back on the 2-1 defeat Sunderland - which condemns Chelsea to a 10th-placed finish in the Premier League.

The Blues were outplayed and outfought by their hosts - and that added to Wesley Fofana's red card sums up what a poor season it's been.

Thankfully all was not lost this weekend - with the U18's crowned winners of the Under-18 Premier League National Final after a 5-1 win over Manchester City.

We'll be back on Thursday with our full review of the 2025-26 season - and a look ahead to a defining summer for Chelsea and new manager Xabi Alonso.

Take part in our survey and tell us what you want from SOC! forms.gle/S7Qdv1iPPnaemtps7

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams

WITH: Sam Parkin and Simon Johnson

PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva

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

It's Tottenham, lads...

Matt Davies-Adams has got two of The Athletic's finest - Cerys Jones and Luke Bosher - alongside him for a look back on the absolutely inevitable but pretty unconvincing 2-1 victory over Tottenham at the Bridge on Tuesday night.

Then - the end is (finally) here! The Blues make the trip to Sunderland on Sunday - with a place in either the Europa League, Conference League or nothing! - at stake.

We'll be back on Monday with a look back on the final game of another crazy season for Chelsea Football Club.

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams

WITH: Luke Bosher and Cerys Jones

PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva

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

Matt Davies-Adams has got The Athletic's Simon Johnson and Liam Twomey for company after a rather busy days for Chelsea Football Club...

A seventh straight defeat in a final at Wembley? Bad.

Xabi Alonso announced as the new Blues manager? Now, that's more like it!

We've got all the latest on Alonso's appointment, plus a look back on the narrow 1-0 defeat by Manchester City in the FA Cup final AND a look ahead to the visit of Tottenham in the Premier League on Tuesday night. Can they sign off at Stamford Bridge on a high by taking Spurs' relegation battle to the last day of the season?

Plus - an emotional goodbye for Millie Bright and Sam Kerr - who scored on her final CFCW appearance to beat Manchester United and equal Fran Kirby's goalscoring record as Sonia Bompastor's side wrap up a third-placed finish in the WSL.

We'll be back with you on Wednesday - hot off the back of events at the Bridge - to bring you reaction to the Tottenham game and look ahead to the final day of the season at Sunderland.

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams

WITH: Liam Twomey and Simon Johnson

PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva

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

Surely the Wembley curse has to come to an end eventually?!

Matt Davies-Adams is joined by The Athletic's Liam Twomey and Luke Bosher for a mega look ahead to Saturday's FA Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley.

Do the Blues have any hope of beating Pep's men given their 13-game winless streak against them? What are the key selection issues heading into the final? And just what an incredible achievement would it be for Calum McFarlane to lead this side to an unlikely moment of glory in an otherwise chaotic season?

Off the pitch, there's protests planned at Wembley ahead of the match - and on Tuesday night against Tottenham at the Bridge. Liam speaks to organisers David and Jacob from NotAProjectCFC to find out more about this latest action - and whether there's any way back for BlueCo in the eyes of the supporters.

Plus - we've got word from David Ornstein on the news he broke earlier this week that Xabi Alonso is at the forefront of Chelsea's thinking as they seek a new head coach.

We'll be back on Monday with all the reaction and fallout from events at the national stadium on Saturday afternoon... can they do it!?

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams

WITH: Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey

PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva

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

Seven straight defeats? Not in these parts...

Matt Davies-Adams calls up Simon Johnson and Sam Parkin for a look back on the 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday lunchtime.

We take the positives from a far better showing that the sorry Forest defeat, laud the return of Levi Colwill - starting his first game of the season - and ponder whether this will be the boost they need to go into a Wembley final with at least an improved chance of beating Pep's side...

Plus, Cerys Jones pops by for the madness of the Women's FA Cup semi-final at Stamford Bridge, which saw Chelsea squander a two-goal lead to be knocked out 3-2 in extra-time by Manchester City.

And - any update on the managerial hunt?! And the U18's finish off their title-winning regular season campaign in style...

We'll be back on Thursday with a more comprehensive look ahead to Saturday's Wembley showdown with Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams

WITH: Simon Johnson, Sam Parkin & Cerys Jones

PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva

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