A piece with @anantaajith.bsky.social and @sebsb.bsky.social on Xhaka. Alonso loves him, he brings leadership as well as quality and was excellent at Sunderland last season. But at 33, how much is that worth to Chelsea? 👇 www.nytimes.com/athletic/740...

Spurs being serious. At last. For @theathleticfc.bsky.social and free to read. www.nytimes.com/athletic/740...

Stubble. Julian. Please.

I decided “You know what I need during a historic heat wave? A knit cowl!”

One thing to keep in mind regarding Lewandowski to the Fire: Does this influence Leon Goretzka's decision? The Fire remain in the mix for the Germany midfielder. Also: Lewy vs. Muller on July 16? That's the aim. With @tombogert.bsky.social and @sebsb.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/740...

🇵🇱 Sources: Legendary forward Robert Lewandowski has agreed to a deal with the Chicago Fire. @jacobsben.bsky.social 1st. Lewandowski, 37, will sign a 2 year deal. Becomes 1 of MLS's marquee (& highest paid) players. w/ @paultenorio.bsky.social @sebsb.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/740...

A Turnstile Triangle, *finally* on its way to @theglenn.me! #coys

Guy in front of @cstaffordbloor.bsky.social and I at MediaMarkt. All the cards, right on the table.

All I want is for England not to play two right footers on the left. Anything other than that.

Let’s try this again. Tiny hat for a new Spurs fan, due to be born TO SOMEONE ELSE in February. Rook for scale.

Angry Sebastián Beccacece = Prince Nuada off Wish

GERMANY there, flanked by … the Belgian colours

We’re smack dab in the middle of a heatwave, and Johannes B. Kerner just said ‘Arsenal London’ on German TV

Gianni Infantino says that hydration breaks are about everything other than the money. I do not believe him. @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/739...

Gianni Infantino says that hydration breaks are about everything other than the money. I do not believe him. @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/739...

In honour of seemingly the entirety of Gillette Stadium booing Infantino 🖊️ @davidsquires.bsky.social

At what time is Steve Bucknor conducting the pitch inspection?

Look at @jonmackenzie.bsky.social in his nerd cupboard!

Ya boi has reached lvl ‘someone on here once said’ 😮‍💨🥵

KK in Hamburg.

World Cup lettuce!

MEN! Do you want to smell like corruption and human rights abuses?

This will haunt my sleep for some time.

Pedro Porro close to Tottenham contract extension. For @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/732...

Brighton make £30m offer for Tottenham’s Luka Vuskovic. Story with @david-ornstein.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/734...

The gold FIFA logo is a nice touch, isn’t it. That’s probably what the ticket prices paid for.

I have been given the awesome responsibility of the pre-World Cup snack shop. The biggest stage. A huge vote of confidence. @cstaffordbloor.bsky.social

I was with her when this happened; didn’t know how to respond. bsky.app/profile/csta...

Central midfielders are becoming really, really expensive. I asked a few people from within the football industry why that is. Article for @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/735...

A hefty old Transfer DealSheet from us at @theathleticfc.bsky.social. Free to read. www.nytimes.com/athletic/734...

You’ve got four days. Read All Played Out again. It’s still brilliant and you’ve probably forgotten most of it.

This announcer sounds like he normally works in wrestling, and the German players couldn’t look more bemused

Ceylan already in mid-tournament form. bsky.app/profile/csta...

It was a pleasure to spend time with Marco Rose, talking about the challenge of inheriting Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth. An interview with a coach who wants to listen as much as teach, for @theathleticfc.bsky.social (free to read). www.nytimes.com/athletic/733...

🌎WORLD CUP PREVIEW PART TWO!🌎 @acjimbo.bsky.social, @felipecardenas.bsky.social, JJ Bull & @colinmillar.bsky.social check out the dark horses🐎 👀Japan with @aishiterutokyo.bsky.social 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Can Scotland get out the group? 🇲🇦Africa's finest with @mahermezahi.bsky.social m.youtube.com/watch?v=cVI5...