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The Athletic

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

Straight Outta Cobham - A show about Chelsea

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 
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Palmer's Panenka seals stellar Chelsea comeback over Spurs

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
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Astana (A) adventures, -12 temperatures - and a whole load of Tottenham haters

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 
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Bees curse ended as Chelsea close the gap at the top

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 
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Guiu's in the goals, a final trip to Goodison and the latest on Mudryk

It's a point they haven't managed to get in the past...
Matt Davies-Adams has got Liam Twomey in tow to look back on the blustery and attritional goalless draw with Everton at Goodison Park.
Then, as it's our final show of the year we take a look back at 2024 in the life of Chelsea - the ups, the downs, the managerial changes and everything in between. A couple of familiar voices drop by to share their reflections on the past 12 months at Stamford Bridge and beyond.
We're taking our Christmas break BUT we'll be back with you on Thursday 2nd January to look back on the festive fixtures against Fulham and Ipswich, look ahead to the trip to Crystal Palace - and catch you up with any of the Blues news we've missed while we've been away.
(With apologies for the quality of Liam's audio - Santa needs to bring him a new microphone...)
HOST: Matt Davies-Adams
WITH: Liam Twomey
PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva 
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Goalless at Goodison, 2024 reflections and a look ahead to Fulham and Ipswich

A not so Merry Christmas after all...
Matt Davies-Adams is back for the first time in 2025 and joined by The Athletic's Chelsea experts Liam Twomey and Simon Johnson to look back on the damaging back-to-back festive defeats at the hands of Fulham and Ipswich.
We've got reports from the final whistle at both, before we reflect on the disappointment and question where this leaves their hopes of a top four finish, weaknesses within the squad and the pressure it puts on Enzo Maresca to find solutions.
Then, our old friend Dom Fifield stops by to help us look ahead to Saturday's trip to a resurgent Crystal Palace.
We'll be back on Monday to reflect on the visit to Selhurst and bring you up to speed with anything else that's happened in the wonderful world of Chelsea.
HOST: Matt Davies-Adams
WITH: Simon Johnson, Liam Twomey and Dom Fifield
PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva
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Festive woes highlight fragilities ahead of trip to Selhurst Park

The winless run extends to four games...
Matt Davies-Adams has got Liam Twomey and Luke Bosher alongside him to run the rule over Saturday's 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Our Eagles expert Dom Fifield is back to give his take on the game - before we take a closer look at the Blues' profligacy in front of goal, concerns over squad depth and the leggy midfield problem.
Then, with the January transfer window very much open we ponder some of the potential movers and shakers. What does the future hold for the likes of Ben Chilwell and Carney Chukwuemeka? Will the club be tempted to sign a striker? Are any loan moves on the cards?
We'll be back on Thursday to preview the visit of League Two strugglers Morecambe in the third round of the FA Cup!
HOST: Matt Davies-Adams
WITH: Luke Bosher, Liam Twomey and Dom Fifield
PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva
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Yet more points dropped as the Blues are pegged back by Palace

No 'cupsets' welcome round here...
The Athletic's Simon Johnson and Luke Bosher are alongside Matt Davies-Adams to preview Saturday's FA Cup third round tie with lowly League Two outfit Morecambe at Stamford Bridge.
We look ahead to that game, ponder team selection and the wider importance of the competition to the club.
As transfer rumours continue to swirl we take a look at some of latest news to come out - including a potential approach for Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo, interest in Cobham graduate Marc Guehi - and a Bundesliga move for Carney Chukwuemeka?
Plus, can our quizzers regain some dignity after last week's underwhelming start to 2025?!
We'll be back on Monday to look back on the FA Cup and look ahead to Tuesday's visit of Bournemouth in the Premier League.
HOST: Matt Davies-Adams
WITH: Luke Bosher and Simon Johnson
PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva
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Morecambe FA Cup tie offers Chelsea chance to find their form

Say it ain't so, Renato...
Matt Davies-Adams has got The Athletic's Chelsea experts Liam Twomey and Simon Johnson alongside him to analyse the 5-0 victory over Morecambe in the FA Cup to set up a trip to Brighton in the fourth round. We talk missed opportunities for Nkunku, Tosin's goals and leadership - and the surprising news that a certain muse of Luke's could be on his way out the door...
Then, a far more serious challenge presents itself - with high-flying Bournemouth visiting Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night in the Premier League. Just how important is it for the Blues to bag all three points if they're to maintain their hopes of a top four finish?
Elsewhere, Chelsea Women returned to action after the winter break with a comfortable 4-0 win over Charlton in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Jessy Parker Humphrey's sends in their full-time thoughts after the final whistle at Kingsmeadow!
We'll be back on Thursday to run the rule over the meeting with the Cherries - and preview Monday night's visit of Wolves.
HOST: Matt Davies-Adams
WITH: Simon Johnson, Liam Twomey & Jessy Parker Humphreys
PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva
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Morecambe dispatched with a tricky Bournemouth test next - but is Veiga really on his way out?

We've missed you, Reece (and Trevoh...)...
The Athletic's Chelsea writers Liam Twomey and Simon Johnson are alongside Matt Davies-Adams to look back on the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth. We lament yet another second half collapse, weigh up the positives and negatives of Nicholas Jackson - and revisit the accusations of tactical naivety levelled at Enzo Maresca.
So, a response is needed on Monday night against a Wolves side who sit inside the relegation zone but have form when it comes to picking up three points and springing a surprise at Stamford Bridge..
We also touch base with the latest January transfer window activity - including the recall of Trevoh Chalobah from Crystal Palace and the rumoured departures of Christopher Nkunku and Axel Disasi - and the news that the club have been found PSR compliant.
Plus - have we seen the greatest performance in the history of the quiz?
We'll be back on Tuesday to reflect on the visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers and find out how Chelsea Women get on back in WSL action against West Ham on Sunday afternoon.
HOST: Matt Davies-Adams
WITH: Liam Twomey and Simon Johnson
PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva
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Returning Reece rescues a point - but why are Chelsea so bad in the second half of games?

1. Into The Semi-Finals - 00:01 
2. Jorginho & Kante - 9:29
3. Beating City - 16:52
4. Lampard Learning Fast - 20:44
5. West Ham (and Watford) Preview - 23:56

 
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Kante Back In The Makelele Role & Lampard Learning Fast

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