Chelsea miss out on Europe after dire final day defeat at Sunderland
Straight Outta Cobham: The Athletic FC's Chelsea show
The Athletic
4.9 • 871 Ratings
🗓️ 25 May 2026
⏱️ 50 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
A dire end to a dire season...
Matt Davies-Adams is joined by Simon Johnson and Sam Parkin for a look back on the 2-1 defeat Sunderland - which condemns Chelsea to a 10th-placed finish in the Premier League.
The Blues were outplayed and outfought by their hosts - and that added to Wesley Fofana's red card sums up what a poor season it's been.
Thankfully all was not lost this weekend - with the U18's crowned winners of the Under-18 Premier League National Final after a 5-1 win over Manchester City.
We'll be back on Thursday with our full review of the 2025-26 season - and a look ahead to a defining summer for Chelsea and new manager Xabi Alonso.
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HOST: Matt Davies-Adams
WITH: Sam Parkin and Simon Johnson
PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | The Athletic FC |
| 0:03.3 | It's |
| 0:04.2 | Chelsea |
| 0:06.5 | Chelsea |
| 0:06.5 | Chelsea |
| 0:08.2 | It's been It's being dismal But the under 18th show about Chelsea FC from The Athletic. Coming up, rejoice, has Chelsea secure a top half finish? |
| 0:22.2 | Just kidding, it's being dismal. |
| 0:24.1 | But the under-18s are national champions. |
| 0:26.8 | Putting 25-26 in the bin where it belongs, |
| 0:30.5 | this is straight out of common. |
| 0:35.2 | And it might be baking hot on this bank holiday Monday in the UK, |
| 0:39.1 | but the Chelsea men's first team have left a stone cold all season. |
| 0:43.8 | Let's get the shame of Sunderland dealt with. |
| 0:46.1 | Do our season review part later in the week and then never speak of this again. |
| 0:51.8 | I have got two S's alongside me today, which is pretty appropriate, I suppose, |
| 0:56.6 | because Chelsea's season has been largely a big pile of steaming S2. Simon Johnson, how are you doing? |
| 1:03.2 | I'm very well. I'm pleased that I don't have to talk to Chelsea for another few months. |
| 1:08.1 | It does feel freeing, doesn't it? Sam Parking's back with us too. |
| 1:11.4 | Sam, you're off the Wembley later on today to see Knott's County and Salford in the league to playoff final. If I was being mean, I would say how many of Chelsea's team that started against Sunderland would get in the Salford side, but instead, I'll just ask if you're okay. Very good. Yeah, I'm in the hotel directly opposite Wembley. |
| 1:27.8 | A lot of Wanderers fans, worse for where, wandering about. you're okay? Very good. Yeah, I'm in a hotel directly opposite Wembley. |
| 1:27.8 | A lot of Wanderers fans, worse for wear, wandering about. Can't think of any Chelsea link to any of the teams I'm watching today. So I'll just give you Javier Simon. He was there, wasn't he, for a bit? Yeah, yeah. scored a goal in the semi as well. Very fine goal at Bradford to get them to Wembley. and going to be in the championship next season. |
| 1:46.7 | We'd probably get in the Chelsea team now, et cetera, and so on. Right, let me get the plugs out the way before we get going. You know, you can find us on excellent blue sky at SOCob and pod or get in touch via email, SOC at theathletic.com. Lots of excellent workup on the site. Now go to the athletic.com slash Chelsea pod to sign up if you want to read it and you're not currently a subscriber and we're still taking you a lovely five-star reviews, Apple Podcasts, Spotify. Wherever you get your pods, all very much appreciated. Thank you. Premature adjudications. Let's make this the final one of the season, shall we? Here's one that's coming to us from RD Cam. |
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