Straight Outta Cobham: The Athletic FC's Chelsea show

In the race for eighth place...

Matt Davies-Adams has got The Athletic's Liam Twomey and Cerys Jones alongside him for a recap of the extremely dull but extremely necessary 1-0 victory over Pafos on MD7 of the UCL.

We discuss the slog against the Cypriot champions, Liam Delap's ineffectiveness against the low block - and whether we're being too harsh on the team given a win's a win AND they are into the top eight as it stands.

Then, SOC OG Dom Fifield enters the chat for a look ahead to Sunday's trip to current crisis club Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

Elsewhere, CFCW booked themselves into yet another cup final - beating Manchester City 1-0 to set up a League Cup final meeting with Manchester United in March. Can they keep the momentum going into Saturday's tie with Arsenal in the WSL?!

We'll be back on Monday to look back on the trip to Selhurst Park and look ahead to the huge Champions League clash out in Naples as the Blues face old boss Antonio Conte looking to seal a top eight finish.

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HOST: Matt Davies-Adams
WITH: Cerys Jones, Liam Twomey & Dom Fifield
PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Not quite sure how that happened but...

Matt Davies-Adams has got Sam Parkin and Simon Johnson for company to pass judgement on the beating of the Bees and a look ahead to Pafos.

We begin by touching upon the protests which gathered outside the ground before the game, before turning our attention to the events on the pitch - which saw the Blues somehow come away with a 2-0 win over Brentford.

Then - it's the David Luiz derby!! Only he might be injured... but hopefully not! It's surely a must win for Chelsea if they're to secure a spot in the top eight and guarantee automatic passage through to the knockout round.

Plus - why are the club interested in signing yet another young centre-back, this time in the form of Rennes 20-year-old Jeremy Jacquet.

We'll be back on Thursday to reflect on Wednesday night's encounter with Pafos AND to preview the visit to current Premier League crisis club Crystal Palace.

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HOST: Matt Davies-Adams
WITH: Simon Johnson and Sam Parkin
PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been real, Facundo...

Matt Davies-Adams is joined by Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey with eyes on Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night and the 3-2 defeat by Arsenal in the League Cup semi-final first leg. Simon Johnson sends his thoughts on the final whistle on a chaotic evening of Carabao football.

We discuss the defensive and goalkeeping shortcomings exposed once again, how Rosenior wants this side to play - and the positives considering how depleted the squad was due to injury and illness.

Attention then turns to the visit of Brentford on Saturday afternoon - a Brentford who sit fifth in the Premier League table and could move five point clear of the Blues if they were to come away with a win.

We'll be back on Monday to bring you reaction to the Bees match - and look ahead to the midweek Champions League action with Pafos in town!

Join the Straight Outta Cobham FPL League!

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams
WITH: Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey
PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A big win to kick-off the Rosenior reign...

Matt Davies-Adams has got Sam Parkin and Simon Johnson alongside him to look back on the 5-1 win at Charlton in the FA Cup on Saturday night.

Then it's onto a wholly different challenge - with Arsenal making the short trip to Stamford Bridge in the Carabao Cup Semi-Final First Leg on Wednesday evening. Is the pressure off for the Blues? And what kind of reception will we see from the home fans towards the new head coach?

Plus, the WSL returned this weekend and CFCW got back underway in style with a 5-0 thrashing of West Ham at Kingsmeadow! But it's still all to do in the league with Man City staying six point clear at the top of the table.

We'll be back on Thursday to run the rule over the first leg clash with Arsenal - and look ahead to the visit of Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday.

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams
WITH: Simon Johnson and Sam Parkin
PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Back in October 2025, Liam Rosenior sat down with The Athletic FC Podcast's Ayo Akinwolere and Carl Anka - with RC Strasbourg flying high in Ligue 1.

Now Chelsea manager - Rosenior gives an insight into his management style, working in a multi-club ownership model and the importance of representation, diversity and role models.

Plus - his approach to coaching and how he gets a big dressing room to come together...

Matt Davies-Adams and the gang will be back on Monday to review Rosenior's first game in charge of the Blues against Charlton in the FA Cup - and to look ahead to Arsenal in the League Cup!

Host: Ayo Akinwolere
Co-Host: Carl Anka
With: Liam Rosenior
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Producer: Jay Beale
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.