1905: The Chelsea FC Podcast

Sunderland did the double over Chelsea last season, and Sunday at the Stadium of Light is our chance to hand it back. They’re bottom with five points and a Europa League night against Dinamo Zagreb in their legs, so a win sends us into the break with four from five and makes up for the Brentford hangover before the last one. Most of the team picks itself, but three calls don’t. Mike Penders or Emi Martinez in goal, with a face mask and one more week of rest in the balance. Danny Welbeck or Pedro Neto leading the line against a more physical Sunderland. And one name at the back we’d rather not see start again. Get those three right and keep it simple. Romeo Lavia’s run of 90 minutes changes the midfield conversation, and in January it’s Alex Scott first, then a centre-back. Win on Sunday and Xabi Alonso’s start is an eight out of ten. — ★ ★ — Chapters00:00 Payback: Sunderland v Chelsea01:00 Four from five, and why draws kill you01:30 Sunderland: bottom with five points03:00 Why Chelsea need the ball at the Stadium of Light05:00 Penders or Martinez in goal06:30 Joe’s back four: natural positions08:00 Lavia, Caicedo and the Henderson role09:00 Estêvão, Rogers and Palmer10:00 It’s a Danny Welbeck game12:00 Chris picks his XI (and mostly agrees)13:00 January wish list: Alex Scott15:30 Centre-back targets: Koundé and Jacobo Ramón18:00 What is Alonso’s shape?19:00 Estêvão’s new contract and the dropping dilemma20:00 Sunderland’s Thursday night in Europe20:30 Alonso’s score: seven, going on eight23:00 Chris at the Stadium of Light: Quinn, Phillips and Hazard — ★ ★ — Meet the HostsChris Sheen and Joe Kevin are lifelong Chelsea fans who’ve been going to Stamford Bridge for over 30 years.What started as swapping post-match voicenotes has grown into a fan pod capturing the highs, the lows, and everything in between from Gate 13 of the Matthew Harding Stand. — ★ ★ — The 1905 PodcastChelsea FC Founded: 1905European Champions: 19/05🌐 www.1905podcast.com📧 [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sometimes it’s better to be a lucky manager, and Xabi Alonso and Michael Carrick’s fortunes go in opposite directions as Chelsea beat Man Utd 2-0. Alonso gets a key win and a long exhale, Carrick is on the brink, and we’ll happily take the three points, even if we were more fortunate than good. United have the better of the first half, then the game turns in a quarter of an hour: a Morgan Rogers chip for the ages, Lisandro Martínez’s red card, and a Cole Palmer penalty. Alonso’s second-half reset is the blueprint, more of the ball at home and Rogers, Palmer and Estêvão all dangerous with it. Lucky or not, that’s the Chelsea we want to see more of. The best part is the players. Estêvão earns his standing ovation and has to start at Sunderland, Romeo Lavia has his best game in a blue shirt, and Mike Penders makes the late save that seals the clean sheet. Palmer reaches 50 Chelsea league goals faster than all but two, in the youngest side in the league. The striker question can wait. Sunderland next. — ★ ★ — Chapters0:00 Pre-match fears and the Estêvão team news3:00 The first half United should have won6:00 Rogers’ chip and Martínez’s red card10:00 Estêvão’s standing ovation12:00 Lavia’s best Chelsea performance13:30 Joe’s case: better to be lucky than good17:30 The back line and what Alonso changed21:30 Penders, Lavia v Henderson and Rogers28:00 João Pedro, Palmer and the striker question32:00 Colwill and Acheampong39:00 Chris: Palmer’s 50th goal48:00 Why Estêvão has to start at Sunderland — ★ ★ — Meet the HostsChris Sheen and Joe Kevin are lifelong Chelsea fans who’ve been going to Stamford Bridge for over 30 years.What started as swapping post-match voicenotes has grown into a fan pod capturing the highs, the lows, and everything in between from Gate 13 of the Matthew Harding Stand. — ★ ★ — The 1905 PodcastChelsea FC Founded: 1905European Champions: 19/05🌐 www.1905podcast.com📧 [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Another false dawn, and the numbers now say the quiet part out loud: one domestic trophy in ten years. Chelsea go out of the Carabao Cup at Anfield, beaten 6-5 on penalties by a Liverpool side treating it as their fourth priority, and for a club with Chelsea’s history that’s the bit that really stings. Estêvão doesn’t get off the bench, not even for five minutes, despite Chelsea naming a strong XI with a bench to match. His minutes this season don’t add up, and when you’re sitting on a talent like that and not using him, the questions go to Alonso, not the player. Then Wesley Fofana punches a corner out of the air to gift Liverpool their penalty — inexcusable, and in twenty-five years of watching football we’ve never once seen that happen by accident. Caicedo, Henderson and a composed Mike Penders were the night’s real positives, and we’re not calling for Alonso’s head over one Carabao Cup exit — but the team selections, the sitting on his hands against Spurs, the inconsistency, it’s all adding up. Two winnable games before the international break, Man United at home and Sunderland away, and we need six points to feel differently. — ★ ★ — Chapters0:00 Anfield heartbreak — Chelsea out on penalties0:30 The Estêvão mystery deepens5:30 Fofana’s handball fury9:00 Caicedo and Henderson deliver10:30 Penders stands tall between the sticks11:30 The case for patience with Alonso19:00 One domestic trophy in ten years24:00 Estêvão’s penalty record, and the fear of wasting him30:00 Why we’re calling this episode False Dawn32:00 Man United preview — a must-win at the Bridge — ★ ★ — Meet the HostsChris Sheen and Joe Kevin are lifelong Chelsea fans who’ve been going to Stamford Bridge for over 30 years.What started as swapping post-match voicenotes has grown into a fan pod capturing the highs, the lows, and everything in between from Gate 13 of the Matthew Harding Stand. — ★ ★ — The 1905 PodcastChelsea FC Founded: 1905European Champions: 19/05🌐 www.1905podcast.com📧 [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two defeats to Spurs at Stamford Bridge in 36 years, and Xabi Alonso’s overthinking hands them the second. Spurs deserved it, but when every Chelsea player turns in a six out of ten, that’s on the manager. It’s the Pep and Rodri move all over again. No João Pedro, so no striker. Geovany Quenda thrown into a London derby with Danny Welbeck and Estêvão sitting on the bench, and not a single change at half-time. Mike Penders needs building up, not knocking down, though at two metres tall he should be catching that corner. Cole Palmer’s red is petulant and silly, a week after Everton gave him a free pass. We still back Alonso long term. We just need Anfield on Wednesday to go a lot better. — ★ ★ — Chapters0:00 Washout: Chelsea 0-2 Spurs1:00 Where’s João Pedro?2:30 No striker, no creativity4:00 Mike Penders: don’t pile on6:30 Lacroix, Hato and Palestra at the back8:30 Quenda: a fish out of water10:00 Why Welbeck and Estêvão don’t start11:30 Cole Palmer sees red13:00 Liverpool, Man United and a caretaker Carrick14:30 Two defeats in 36 years18:30 Alonso gets too clever25:00 The substitutions that make no sense26:00 Estêvão can’t catch a break28:00 Penders, punching and the Premier League31:00 Palmer’s red card and the Everton warning33:30 Anfield preview: who should start — ★ ★ — Meet the HostsChris Sheen and Joe Kevin are lifelong Chelsea fans who’ve been going to Stamford Bridge for over 30 years.What started as swapping post-match voicenotes has grown into a fan pod capturing the highs, the lows, and everything in between from Gate 13 of the Matthew Harding Stand. — ★ ★ — The 1905 PodcastChelsea FC Founded: 1905European Champions: 19/05🌐 www.1905podcast.com📧 [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mike Penders gets his chance against Spurs on Saturday night, with Emi Martinez out and the Chelsea number one shirt there to be taken. Chris and Joe measure him against Petr Cech and Thibaut Courtois at the same stage and ask what ten games in goal would need to look like for Xabi Alonso to think twice about Martinez. Joe pleads for patience if a mistake comes. Plus Josh Acheampong’s contract standoff, Jordan Henderson’s midfield influence, and whether Spurs, six straight league defeats to Chelsea and still short of goals, finally break the run. — ★ ★ — Chapters00:00 Welcome and the Spurs run01:00 Penders steps in for Martinez02:00 Age, caps and games: Penders v Cech and Courtois05:00 What Penders needs to keep the shirt11:00 Josh Acheampong’s contract question21:00 Spurs: 18 wins to five27:30 Henderson and the midfield engine30:00 Effectively third: the title chat — ★ ★ — Meet the HostsChris Sheen and Joe Kevin are lifelong Chelsea fans who’ve been going to Stamford Bridge for over 30 years.What started as swapping post-match voicenotes has grown into a fan pod capturing the highs, the lows, and everything in between from Gate 13 of the Matthew Harding Stand. — ★ ★ — The 1905 PodcastChelsea FC Founded: 1905European Champions: 19/05🌐 www.1905podcast.com📧 [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chelsea grow up at Everton: a 2-0 win that ends the hosts’ unbeaten start and delivers a first league clean sheet in nine months. Pedro Neto’s second-half brace takes the headlines, but the bigger story is a side that stands up to a physical away day and looks like men rather than boys. Josh Acheampong has his best game in a Chelsea shirt, Jordan Henderson and Moises Caicedo hold the base, and Xabi Alonso’s three-week break looks to have tightened the defence. Emi Martinez goes off after a clash of heads, with jaw surgery to follow, Mike Penders gets his chance, and Reece James is out for months. — ★ ★ — Chapters0:00 Grown up at last: Everton 0-2 Chelsea reaction2:30 Emi Martinez’s injury scare3:50 Mike Penders steps in5:00 Josh Acheampong comes of age7:00 Lacroix and Colwill: building a partnership8:30 Hato at left back10:00 Henderson and Caicedo run the base11:30 Palmer, Rogers and Joao Pedro: the work rate15:30 Pedro Neto, reborn17:30 Alonso’s three-week break19:00 Joe’s take: a serious Chelsea20:30 Martinez’s jaw surgery and the road back23:30 Penders: the big opportunity29:00 Reece James out for months31:30 Henderson, Tchaikovsky and the squad minutes problem — ★ ★ — Meet the HostsChris Sheen and Joe Kevin are lifelong Chelsea fans who’ve been going to Stamford Bridge for over 30 years.What started as swapping post-match voicenotes has grown into a fan pod capturing the highs, the lows, and everything in between from Gate 13 of the Matthew Harding Stand. — ★ ★ — The 1905 PodcastChelsea FC Founded: 1905European Champions: 19/05🌐 www.1905podcast.com📧 [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chelsea haven’t scored at Everton since a Jorginho penalty in August 2022, and last March’s 3-0 at the Hill Dickinson Stadium didn’t help the mood. After the 5-1 Bournemouth win, Alonso’s side finally look balanced: a back four with the ball, a 4-4-2 without it. Acheampong’s height against Everton’s set pieces, Estevão stepping into Pedro Neto’s role, and Colwill and Lacroix as a settled pairing in front of Martínez. Plus the fringe players short of minutes without Europe, Jordan Henderson’s critics, and Joe’s pick of Chelsea’s best Goodison result — the 3-2 in 2006 with Lampard, Ballack and Drogba. Dedicated to Simon Webb 💙 — ★ ★ — Chapters00:00 A dedication to Simon02:00 Chelsea stories everywhere — Villa, Rüdiger, Enzo03:30 Rested or rusty? The minutes problem05:00 Alonso’s back four and the 4-4-2 shape09:30 Left back, set pieces and the Everton threat10:30 Chelsea’s Everton record — no win since 202212:45 Joe takes over14:30 It’s okay to like Jordan Henderson16:30 Best Goodison result: Chelsea 3-2 in 200622:00 Why a draw wouldn’t be a disaster — ★ ★ — Meet the HostsChris Sheen and Joe Kevin are lifelong Chelsea fans who’ve been going to Stamford Bridge for over 30 years.What started as swapping post-match voicenotes has grown into a fan pod capturing the highs, the lows, and everything in between from Gate 13 of the Matthew Harding Stand. — ★ ★ — The 1905 PodcastChelsea FC Founded: 1905European Champions: 19/05🌐 www.1905podcast.com📧 [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jordan Henderson, 36, scores twice on his home debut as Chelsea beat Bournemouth 5-1 at Stamford Bridge. A right-foot finish off the post and a free kick into the top corner bookend a masterclass in game management. João Pedro makes it five in five, Morgan Rogers scores inside three minutes again, and Henderson and Caicedo look like a proper midfield pair, though the set-piece wobble at 3-0 is still a worry. Plus Cole Palmer’s new deal to 2034, announced on a live stream, and why the Premier League table feels a little like a mirage. — ★ ★ — Chapters0:00 Chelsea 5-1 Bournemouth: two goals in three minutes2:30 Henderson takes control before half-time3:30 João Pedro makes it three, then the set-piece wobble5:30 The Henderson free kick and the Lavia call6:30 Front three, Estêvão’s minutes and Caicedo’s return9:30 Relief for Alonso after three games without a win11:30 Everton away preview14:30 Chris on Henderson: 11.9km and the Caicedo partnership20:30 João Pedro five in five, Acheampong’s rise23:30 Joe on Henderson and life after Enzo Fernandez27:50 Cole Palmer signs until 203432:30 Premier League round-up: City, Brighton and the top four race — ★ ★ — Meet the HostsChris Sheen and Joe Kevin are lifelong Chelsea fans who’ve been going to Stamford Bridge for over 30 years.What started as swapping post-match voicenotes has grown into a fan pod capturing the highs, the lows, and everything in between from Gate 13 of the Matthew Harding Stand. — ★ ★ — The 1905 PodcastChelsea FC Founded: 1905European Champions: 19/05🌐 www.1905podcast.com📧 [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After 22 days without a game, Chelsea are finally back, and Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge feels like a must-win for Xabi Alonso. Moisés Caicedo is training again, João Pedro's knee is the worry nobody is talking about, and Joe isn't convinced Bournemouth are the soft touch their league position suggests. Before that, Pedro retires, Lawrence Stewart leaves as sporting director, and Romeo Lavia and Morgan Rogers come back from international duty in form. — ★ ★ — Chapters0:00 22 days later: Chelsea are back1:00 Pedro retires4:30 Lawrence Stewart leaves by mutual consent6:30 Lavia's international break9:45 Morgan Rogers and the Cole Palmer question13:30 Chelsea v Bournemouth: the banana skin18:30 Last season's Bournemouth games19:00 Caicedo's return21:30 João Pedro's knee and the striker problem25:30 Chris's XI and Joe's verdict31:00 Too many players, too few minutes — ★ ★ — Meet the HostsChris Sheen and Joe Kevin are lifelong Chelsea fans who've been going to Stamford Bridge for over 30 years.What started as swapping post-match voicenotes has grown into a fan pod capturing the highs, the lows, and everything in between from Gate 13 of the Matthew Harding Stand. — ★ ★ — The 1905 PodcastChelsea FC Founded: 1905European Champions: 19/05🌐 www.1905podcast.com📧 [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Man City's sham contracts of £830m might be the biggest football story of our time. We ask what it means for Chelsea: how we feel about it, how it compares with our own case, and whether we'd even want the trophies. Then the big one, the best punishment from a Chelsea point of view, with relegation-battling Hull, Coventry and Spurs watching closely. Plus the postbox: Stamford Bridge or a new stadium, one January signing, and the Chelsea match we'd watch again and again. — ★ ★ — Chapters0:00 The international break drags on1:00 How do we feel about the Man City charges?4:30 The asterisk on Agüero and Guardiola's 100-point side9:30 Chelsea's case vs City's: is there a comparison?13:00 Would you want the trophies?15:30 The best punishment, and what it means for Hull, Coventry and Spurs18:00 Sympathy for City fans22:30 Postbox: Stamford Bridge, stay or go?26:00 Postbox: one January signing30:00 Postbox: the Chelsea match you'd watch again and again33:30 Postbox: the best Chelsea item you own36:30 Postbox: favourite Chelsea chant — ★ ★ — Meet the HostsChris Sheen and Joe Kevin are lifelong Chelsea fans who've been going to Stamford Bridge for over 30 years.What started as swapping post-match voicenotes has grown into a fan pod capturing the highs, the lows, and everything in between from Gate 13 of the Matthew Harding Stand. — ★ ★ — The 1905 PodcastChelsea FC Founded: 1905European Champions: 19/05🌐 www.1905podcast.com📧 [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices