Mailbag special: unhappy Nkunku, keeper conundrums and shirt sponsors

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 their thoughts on the latest win for Sonia Bompastor's side. Plus - how much do you remember about the season so far? There's a quiz for that... We'll be back on Monday to take a closer look at Chelsea's season so far - and check in with Jessy to see how CFCW have fared in arguably their biggest test of the season so far against title rivals Manchester City in the WSL. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Luke Bosher and Simon Johnson PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 the WSL season to six wins from six! It might be the international break, but we'll be back with you on Thursday AND Monday this time round to keep you right across all the latest Blues news in the never dull world of Chelsea Football Club. Follow us on X: x.com/SOCobhamPod Email us: [email protected] HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 making the visit to SW6 to take on the Blues - who haven't beaten the Gunners since August 2021. Adrian Clarke stops by to give us an insight into Mikel Arteta's side - including their injury concerns and the impact (or lack thereof) that Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz have had so far at The Emirates... We touch base with the women's side ahead of their trip to take on Liverpool on Sunday, round up a disappointing cup exit for the U21's - and do a quiz! We'll be back on Monday for all the fallout from that huge clash with Arsenal - plus all the other Blues news from across a busy weekend. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Simon Johnson and Jessy Parker Humphreys PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 needs minutes most? Who's got to take their chance? And who are Noah?! Meanwhile, Chelsea Women continued their blistering start to the season as they made it a perfect five wins from five for Sonia Bompastor's side in the WSL after their 5-0 thrashing of Everton at Goodison Park. We'll be back on Friday to reflect on the visit of Noah and preview Sunday's mouthwatering showdown with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Luke Bosher and Simon Johnson PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 is on hand to help us gauge the mood around Old Trafford following the departure of Erik ten Hag as Enzo Maresca's side look to end a torrid run of form which has seen them fail to win on the road at United since 2013!! There's a round up of the Blues news elsewhere - with CFCW back in action after the international break with a trip to Everton on Sunday night. And of course - we finish with a quiz with a Manchester United flavour... We'll be back on Monday to reflect on events at Old Trafford and preview the midweek visit of Armenian outfit Noah in the Conference League. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Liam Twomey, Luke Bosher & Carl Anka PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 James' Park on Wednesday night in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup. We pick our starting XI's for that game and ponder the importance of this competition. We'll be back on Thursday to look back on that cup tie AND look ahead of Sunday's trip to Old Trafford to take on a beleaguered Manchester United (new manager bounce, anyone?! Sigh) HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Liam Twomey & Luke Bosher PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 on Sunday afternoon as the Blues host Newcastle at Stamford Bridge. There's a look ahead to that game - plus a focus on the fortunes of CFCW so far this season AND a first-time quiz match up as Jessy and Luke go head-to-head in a high-quality contest... We'll be back on Monday to recount the Premier League clash with the Magpies AND look ahead to Wednesday's trip to St James' Park for the second dose of Newcastle in the Carabao Cup. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Jessy Parker Humphreys and Luke Bosher PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 start to the season with a 5-2 rout of Spurs - with a simply stunning goal from Johanna Rytting Kaneryd which left some of us choking at the breakfast table! We'll be back on Friday to review the Blues' trip to Greece and look ahead to Sunday's Premier League clash with Newcastle. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Simon Johnson & Luke Bosher PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 look at the key selection issues going into the clash. There's a round up of CFCW's recent fortunes - and a quiz! We'll be with you again on Monday to look back on the visit to Anfield (if Producer Lucy returns from Miami!) and preview Thursday's trip to Panathinaikos. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Liam Twomey & Simon Johnson PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 reflect on their early season fortunes under Sonia Bompastor. We'll be back after the international break to round up all the latest Blues news while we've been away AND look ahead to the huge trip to Anfield to take on Liverpool. HOST: Matt Davies-Adams WITH: Simon Johnson, Liam Twomey & Jessy Parker-Humphreys PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices