Is the proper football back yet? Matt Davies-Adams has got Luke Bosher and Simon Johnson with him to tackle some of your questions as we try and pass the hours in the never tedious international break. We touch on defensive fragility, the A/B team dynamic, the latest on the ownership fallout - and tips for getting into sport journalism! Elsewhere, Chelsea Women continued their perfect start to the season with a 2-1 victory over Celtic in the Champions League. Jessy Parker Humphreys sends...

Welcome back, Kai... Two of The Athletic's finest - Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey - are alongside Matt Davies-Adams as we reflect on the feisty and tesne 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. We question the signs of progress against the 'big' sides, Enzo's team tinkering with captain Reece James on the bench - and the continuing Robert Sánchez sized elephant in the room. Elsewhere, Chelsea Women just keep doing Chelsea Women things in a 3-0 win at Liverpool to extend their perfect start to...

They only managed eight?!? Matt Davies-Adams is joined by Jessy Parker Humphreys and Simon Johnson to revel in the good vibes felt at Stamford Bridge following the 8-0 victory over Noah in the Europa Conference League. It's prompted more questions about the benefits of Chelsea being in the competition and whether they're 'too big' to be competing at this level - but we've all been drinking the ECL Kool-Aid! It's fair to say the test on Sunday will be a *little bit* tougher - with Arsenal...

The wait for an Old Trafford win goes on... Matt Davies-Adams has got two of The Athletic's finest - Simon Johnson and Luke Bosher - alongside him to look back on the frustrating 1-1 draw with Manchester United. We dissect the potential imbalance in Maresca's system, ponder the back line conundrum - and wonder whether Chelsea will ever score from a set piece again... Then it's all eyes on Thursday night - with Armenian outfit Noah in town on matchday three of the Europa Conference League. Who...

11 changes too many... Matt Davies-Adams has got Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey with him to look back on the disappointing 2-0 cup exit at the hands of Newcastle on Wednesday night. We ponder the wisdom of the decision to field an entirely changed XI - and whether we should be worried about the disparity in quality between the 'A' and 'B' teams. Now to see whether the changes were worth it - as Chelsea prepare for a trip to face Ruud van Nistelrooy's Manchester United. The Athletic's Carl Anka...

The Magpies double-header is off to a good start... Matt Davies-Adams has got The Athletic's Liam Twomey and Luke Bosher alongside him to look back on Sunday afternoon's 2-1 victory over Newcastle in the Premier League. We eulogise over *that* Palmer pass, discuss the return of Reece James amid questions over his 'leadership' credentials - and wonder what this line-up tells us about Enzo's roll in midfield... There's not long to wait until the next match-up with Eddie Howe's men - off to St...

They're quite good at this whole Conference League thing... Matt Davies-Adams is joined by Jessy Parker Humphreys and Luke Bosher to look back on the hugely comfortable 4-1 win over Panathinaikos over in Athens which leaves Chelsea with three wins from three in Europe. Liam Twomey was at the match for The Athletic and sends his musings. Will anyone be enough to stop Enzo Maresca's side from going all the way and winning the competition? It's back to the bread and butter of the Premier League...

The winless streak against Liverpool stretches to 10... Matt Davies-Adams has got Simon Johnson and Luke Bosher with him to look back on Sunday afternoon's 2-1 defeat at Anfield. We talk Reece's return, defensive fragility and the Neto v Sancho selection conundrum - plus a chance to hear from Enzo Maresca in conversation with Simon after the game. The attention turns to Thursday night's Conference League jaunt to Athens to take on Panathinaikos. Plus, Chelsea Women continue their winning...

It's about to get real... Matt Davies-Adams has got Liam Twomey and Simon Johnson alongside him as we get back into the swing of domestic matters. We round up all the news from across the international break - including plenty of honours, national team fortunes and the return of Thomas Tuchel... Then it's all eyes on the trip to Anfield! The Athletic's Liverpool correspondent James Pearce stops by to give us an insight into Arne Slot's side ahead of Sunday's game - whilst we take a closer...

Those trees are awfully tricky... Matt Davies-Adams is joined by The Athletic's Chelsea experts Simon Johnson and Liam Twomey to look back on Sunday's spicy 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest. So - was it a point gained or two dropped given the circumstances? And what's wrong with Enzo Fernández? Champions League football is back at Stamford Bridge! Chelsea Women get their campaign underway on Tuesday night when they take on Real Madrid. Jessy Parker Humphrey's swings by to preview that game and...

Thursday night under the lights... Matt Davies-Adams has got Simon Johnson and Luke Bosher in tow to look back on the 4-2 victory over Gent in Matchday 1 of the Conference League at Stamford Bridge. Then - it's all eyes on the MDA Derby with Nottingham Forest in town on Sunday afternoon! Plus, CFCW may have the weekend off after the botched scheduling drama - BUT congratulations are in order for Millie Bright... We'll be back on Monday to reflect on Sunday's visit of Forest before pausing for...

It's Cole's world and we're all just living in it... Matt Davies-Adams has got Simon Johnson and Luke Bosher alongside him to go full fanboy after a truly remarkable showing from Cole Palmer in the crazy 4-2 victory over Brighton on Saturday afternoon. After revelling in that glory it's all eyes on Thursday night's first UEFA Conference League 'League Stage' match - with Belgian side Gent in town. Listener Stephane - who's got a foot in both camps - give us an insight into what Chelsea can...

Not a bad whole new starting XI... Matt Davies-Adams has got Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey with him for your second weekly dose of Chelsea chat. The Blues cruised into the fourth round of the League Cup following their 5-0 victory over League Two Barrow... we look back on the game and hear from Pedro Neto in conversation with our very own Simon Johnson, who scored his first goal for the club. Then it's all eyes on Saturday's game against unbeaten Brighton at Stamford Bridge. We weigh up the...

10 goals in 12 London derbies already? Matt Davies-Adams has got two of The Athletic's finest - Simon Johnson and Liam Twomey - alongside him to look back on the impressive 3-0 win over West Ham at London Stadium on Saturday. We heap praise on Nicholas Jackson and Moisés Caicedo for their stellar performances - hear from Tosin in the mixed zone with Simon - and reflect on the presence of Todd Boehly AND Behdad Eghbali in the posh seats... Plus, there were a big three points to kick off their...

Matt Davies Adams is back with Liam Twomey and Simon Johnson alongside him to assess a relatively relaxing week by recent Chelsea standards.   We talk changes up top for the game against West Ham, who would get your nod between Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku? And a listener asks who’s the right choice for right back with both Malo Gusto and Reece James out injured?  Plus, who'll triumph in the latest quiz?! We'll be back next Thursday to reflect on the trip to the London stadium -...

Has anyone got a spare yellow card? Matt Davies-Adams is joined by two of The Athletic's finest - Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey - to look back on the scrappy 1-0 win at Bournemouth on Saturday night. We talk big stops from Robert Sánchez, a 45 minute debut to remember for Jadon Sancho - love for Renato Veiga and eye catching headlines... Then, it's all eyes on the WSL as the Sonia Bompastor era officially begins on Friday evening. We draft in our friend Jessy Parker Humphreys to preview the...

Fun fact: it's never, ever, ever, EVER dull at Chelsea Football Club. Matt Davies Adams is back with Liam Twomey and Simon Johnson alongside him to reflect on all the latest Blues news we've missed during the international break. Spoiler alert... quite a lot has happened! We talk ownership crisis and stadium moves - before turning our attention to Saturday night's visit to Bournemouth. Plus, who'll triumph in the latest quiz?! We'll be back on Monday to reflect on the trip to the seaside -...

The streak is over... Matt Davies-Adams has got Liam Twomey and Dom Fifield in tow to reflect on the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge. Simon Johnson was in place and sent us his match report - plus we speculate about the role that Christopher Nkunku will have in this team going forward. There's a chance to round up some of the deadline day antics we missed on Friday - including the late arrival of Jadon Sancho and departure of Raheem Sterling and Trevoh Chalobah... Plus - pack...

They made very hard work of it... Matt Davies-Adams is joined by The Athletic's Simon Johnson and Dom Fifield to look back on their slightly perilous progress in the Conference League despite the 2-1 defeat by Servette out in Geneva. Liam Twomey was there and sent us an on the whistle report. Our slightly dicey time of recording - Friday morning - means there may have been *plenty* of Deadline Day fun in the meantime - BUT we discuss the latest ins and outs anyway! Then - it's all eyes on the...

That's one way to end the Molineux hoodoo! It's a jubilant Bank Holiday pod record as Matt Davies-Adams is joined by Liam Twomey and Luke Bosher to look back on the 6-2 thrashing of Wolverhampton Wanderers. We salute Noni and his Instagram antics, laud goal and assist machine Cole Palmer - and wonder whether the signs are there that this team could be gelling after a long and tumultuous summer. There's the latest transfer gossip with less than a week to go until the window *slams* shut -...

A win's a win... Matt Davies-Adams has got Simon Johnson and Luke Bosher alongside him as we reflect on the first competitive victory of the Enzo Maresca reign in their 2-0 win over Servette on Thursday night. We take a closer look at some of the explosive comments in Enzo's pre-match press conference regarding the size of the squad and futures of Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell. Simon was in the room to witness the spiciness. Then - it's all eyes on Sunday afternoon's trip to Wolves - a...

Well... it could have been worse?! Matt Davies-Adams is joined by The Athletic's Chelsea experts Liam Twomey and Simon Johnson to look back on the 2-0 opening day defeat by Manchester City at Stamford Bridge. We try and take the positives - including the performance of Romeo Lavia, discuss the Enzo Fernández conundrum after he was handed the armband - and shine the spotlight on the debutants thrown on to try and make their mark. Build-up to the game was somewhat overshadowed by a bombshell...

Here we go again! Matt Davies-Adams has got two of The Athletic's finest - Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey alongside him to build-up to the first game of the 2024-25 Premier League season. We begin with the latest on the Conor Gallagher/ João Félix saga - and the news that Mauricio Pochettino is in line to become the new USMNT boss! Then it's onto some brief predictions for the campaign ahead - before we turn out attention to Sunday's visitors Manchester City with the help of City correspondent...

It's nearly here... Matt Davies-Adams has got The Athletic's Liam Twomey and Luke Bosher alongside him as the final preparations for the 2024-25 Premier League season begin. We start with the latest transfer news - including the surprise signing of Pedro Neto and potential shock return of João Félix - which could have a big knock on effect for Conor Gallagher's departure... There are brief reflections from Sunday's 1-1 draw against Inter Milan in the final pre-season fixture of the...