'It’s David against Goliath' I went behind the scenes at RC Lens last week, who are trying to do the unthinkable and pip Paris Saint-Germain to the Ligue 1 title Includes interviews with their owner, head coach and captain #FiersDEtreLensois #RCL www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...

Spent some time with Racing Club de Lens this week, one of the feel-good stories in Europe this season, who are dreaming of a first title since 1998 At Stade Bollaert-Delelis for tonight’s match vs Le Havre A win puts RC Lens back to the top of Ligue 1, above PSG

At his worst, Omar Bogle was taking 18 or 19 sleeping pills every night. Bogle is not an isolated example — one expert warns that “most clubs have got at least three or four people who are taking sleeping pills on a regular basis.” @tburrows16.bsky.social on football’s sleeping pills problem.

'I was in a constant state of sedation' Football has a hidden problem with sleeping pills I spoke to a number of players who developed an addiction to them - and explored why footballers may be especially vulnerable www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...

Chelsea’s most complete performance under Liam Rosenior so far, vs #CPFC Estevao the standout, but Santos - whom Rosenior has compared to Dunga - excellent too A platform for #CFC + Rosenior to build on, ahead of a packed schedule My write up from Selhurst Park www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...

McLaren has been awarded more than $12m in its legal case against four-time IndyCar Series champion Alex Palou. The dispute dates back to October 2022, when Palou agreed to sign for McLaren’s IndyCar team, Arrow McLaren. More from @tburrows16.bsky.social ⤵️

Piece with @sjohnsonsport.bsky.social from an unconvincing #CFC victory against Pafos #CFC struggled again against a team set up in a low block, while Delap + Garnacho flattered to deceive Still, an important win for #CFC who are now 8th Napoli (a) their last game www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...

Paris Saint-Germain defender Lucas Hernandez and his wife say they have “never acted with malicious intent or in contempt of the law” after it was alleged they had trafficked and overworked a Colombian family in their employ. More from @nnamdionye.bsky.social & @tburrows16.bsky.social

At Stamford Bridge where there’s a #CFC fan protest against the club’s ownership ‘We don’t care about Clearlake, they don’t care about us, all we care about is Chelsea FC’ Other chants of ‘BlueCo out’ RC Strasbourg fans also have a protest planned tomorrow against BlueCo

At Stamford Bridge tonight for #CFC v #AFC where Liam Rosenior has just been introduced to the home supporters for the first time

If Liam Rosenior had any doubts about the scale of the job he’s taking on, it was made clear during Wednesday’s defeat at #FFC As he looks to win over #CFC fans, starting in the FA Cup vs #CAFC, what are the supposed benefits of hiring within a multi-club model? www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...

At Craven Cottage yesterday, #CFC travelling fans turned on their owners It puts Liam Rosenior - who was watching from the stands next to Behdad Eghbali - under even greater pressure to hit the ground running Here's what he would have learnt from last night www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...

At Craven Cottage tonight for #FFC v #CFC Chelsea fans in the front of the away end holding up a ‘BlueCo Out’ banner New #CFC head coach Liam Rosenior watching from the stands tonight, seated next to Behdad Eghbali

Piece from Nice where I spoke to RC Strasbourg away fans about how they feel about Liam Rosenior’s potential exit to #CFC, BlueCo and how all that compares to INEOS-owned Nice With INEOS still actively looking to sell Nice, it’s left the club in limbo www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...

At the Allianz Riviera tonight for Ineos-owned OGC Nice v BlueCo-owned RC Strasbourg - a multi-club clash Strasbourg head coach Liam Rosenior is the frontrunner for the Chelsea job  Nice have lost their last 7 Ligue 1 matches + have a new manager in the returning Claude Puel

Strasbourg head coach Liam Rosenior has said “you never know what tomorrow will bring” after he was linked with the managerial vacancy at Chelsea. More from @tburrows16.bsky.social & @sjohnsonsport.bsky.social 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...

Chelsea have parted ways with head coach Enzo Maresca less than two years into his contract. Full story from @david-ornstein.bsky.social and @sjohnsonsport.bsky.social ⬇️ 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...

Graham Scott was a Premier League referee for a decade. He sat down with @tburrows16.bsky.social to discuss: ▪️ Handling abuse ▪️ Why he wouldn’t allow for ref post-match interviews ▪️ Feeling “rinsed” after VAR game 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...

▪️How he dealt with abuse ▪️Why referees shouldn’t do post match interviews ▪️Working as a VAR ▪️His defence of English referees What it’s like to be a Premier League referee, an interview with Graham Scott www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...

Watched #WHUFC yesterday at the London Stadium Some grounds for optimism - Nuno seems to have found a balanced midfield trio + Bowen excellent But defence is leaky and on an emotional day celebrating Billy Bonds, there's a lack of leadership in the current team www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...

He scored 256 goals for PSG and won six Ligue 1 titles with the club Now Kylian Mbappe and #PSG are locked in a bitter €700m legal battle This is the story of how a once-harmonious relationship collapsed www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...

🔹 Pride at representing Thailand 🔹 Missed penalty on his international debut 🔹 Scored two in his second game, an Asian Cup qualifier 🔹 His time at #CFC and #THFC 🔹 A new start at #GTFC My interview with former #CFC striker Jude Soonsup-Bell www.nytimes.com/athletic/684...

Sense of shock among the Nice squad after facing a hostile reception from hundreds of fans at their training ground last night, with particular anger directed at Boga, Moffi and sporting director Maurice. After Lorient defeat, Nice have now lost six in a row www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...

Excl interview with Domenico Tedesco ahead of the Intercontinental Derby 🏆 Trying to win Fenerbahce's first title for 11 years 🇹🇷 Following Mourinho + the level of refereeing in Turkey 💻 On being labelled a 'laptop coach' 🇧🇪 Belgium spell + fallout with Courtois www.nytimes.com/athletic/684...

🔹 A punch from Dennis Wise on the subs bench 🔹 An earful from Roy Keane 🔹 Tactical lessons from Thomas Tuchel I spoke to the one-game #CFC players about their memories of a day they'll never forget www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...

From @theathleticfc.bsky.social: By trademarking his celebration, Cole Palmer joins a select group that includes Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Erling Haaland, and Kylian Mbappe. His move could signal the start of a trend among soccer players.

Oxford United and Wales international Will Vaulks has been named as the winner of the FIFPRO player voice award in recognition for his work in suicide prevention. It is a cause close to Vaulks’ heart, as both his grandfathers, died by suicide when he was a teenager. ✍️ @tburrows16.bsky.social

‘It gives me an even louder voice, so that’s my main delight with winning it’ I spoke to Will Vaulks, who won the FIFPRO Player Voice Award for his work in suicide prevention The cause is close to Vaulks’ heart - he lost both of his grandfathers to suicide www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...

Cole Palmer has trademarked his 'shiver' celebration. He now joins a select group including Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland. But how does it actually work, is it common - and could more players follow suit? #CFC www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...

Chelsea’s Cole Palmer has successfully trademarked his signature shivering celebration. Palmer’s application, which included a short clip of him performing the celebration, was approved by the United Kingdom’s government Intellectual Property Office on Friday. @tburrows16.bsky.social

'He’s just great, he’s a diamond to have in your camp' 🔹 Helped #BWFC punch above their weight 🔹 Overhauled #LFC scouting dept 🔹 Namechecked by Klopp over Salah signing A piece on Dave Fallows, why #CFC hired him + how he'll fit into their sporting leadership team www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...

McLaren waged a ‘long and expensive war’ against Alex Palou, his lawyer said today Was back at London's High Court for closing submissions in the McLaren v Palou case My write up from today, with judgement expected by mid-December (at the earliest) www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...

Olympique Lyonnaise are exploring a January loan deal for Real Madrid’s Endrick. A simple loan has been mooted, with Madrid paying part of Endrick’s wages — according to sources with knowledge of the situation, speaking on the condition of anonymity. From Mario Cortegana & @tburrows16.bsky.social

Lucas Paqueta has avoided a fine after breaching the Football Association’s rules over his co-operation with an investigation into allegations of spot-fixing. More from @alirampling.bsky.social and @tburrows16.bsky.social ⤵️ 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...

'One of the biggest sporting scandals in history' My write-up from two days in court, where Felipe Massa is claiming £64m over 'Crashgate' in 2008 FIA, FOM & Bernie Ecclestone deny wrongdoing and are asking the judge to strike out his claim www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...

Brendan Rodgers resigned from his job at Celtic on Monday. This was followed by an unrestrained and public attack by Dermot Desmond. Amid criticism of Rodgers, the board, recruitment and more, Celtic have turned ‘toxic’. @mwalkerfoot.bsky.social 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...

Football’s lawmakers have discussed the possibility of extending the VAR reach to step in when an incorrect yellow card is given. They also debated whether to apply a countdown to goal kicks and throw-ins. More from @tburrows16.bsky.social

Twenty years ago today, Paul Gascoigne became Kettering Town manager. What followed was an extraordinary 39 day spell. This is the story of that time, as told to @theathleticfc.bsky.social by those who were there www.nytimes.com/athletic/630...

'For someone to tell you there’s a possibility you might not play football again…I was extremely upset. I went home, my wife was 8 months pregnant at the time, and I broke down' My interview with Colby Bishop, almost a year since his comeback from open heart surgery www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...

This is a topic close to my heart after becoming a dad again this year (yes, the idea came to mind during a sleepless night...) A piece exploring footballers and fatherhood, how it works and how it's all evolved compared to some incredible stories of old www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...

🔹 Ligue 1 young player of the month 🔹 The striker competing with Andre Gray for a starting spot 🔹 £19m midfielder with a goal in his first league start on Saturday How the 15 #CFC loanees are faring across Europe so far this season www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...

Chelsea and England playmaker Cole Palmer has successfully trademarked the term ‘Cold Palmer’. Palmer’s application, submitted to the UK government’s Intellectual Property Office in November, was approved on Friday. More from @tburrows16.bsky.social ⬇️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

▪️ Why has UEFA approved European league games going overseas? ▪️ Who will benefit? ▪️ Will the Premier League go abroad? ▪️ How do other European leagues see it? We explain yesterday’s UEFA’s landmark decision and what the implications could be.

EXCL - Cole Palmer has now successfully trademarked his nickname 'Cold Palmer' His application dropped any reference to wine following a challenge from historic French winery Chateau Palmer A piece on what this all means for Palmer and #CFC www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

A former Football League assistant referee has been sentenced to 13 and a half years in prison after he pleaded guilty to 16 sexual offences against three 15-year-old girls.

🚨 EXCL: Tim Lewis leaves Arsenal in shock boardroom revamp. 62yo integral to #AFC rise but new-look hierarchy sees Richard Garlick become CEO, Josh Kroenke increasingly prominent, Ben Winston join & 3 more appointments including 2 from KSE 🚨 @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...

Daniel Levy has stepped down as the chairman of Tottenham Hotspur after nearly 25 years in charge. More from @jaydmharris.bsky.social ⤵️ 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...

'Everyone finds him interesting because of what he's done, he's a football icon. 'And to be around someone like that and to have had that experience, not many people can say that' The story of Gazza's 39 days at Kettering Town, told by those who were there www.nytimes.com/athletic/630...

🔈 Emotional team talks 🦷 A recreation of dentist chair celebration 🍕 Takeaway pizzas at training 🚿 Gazza in the showers fully clothed 👋 A bitter exit Twenty years since Paul Gascoigne's only managerial job, a big read on his remarkable 39 days at Kettering Town www.nytimes.com/athletic/630...

Bryan Mbeumo is (finally) now a #MUFC player I wrote this with @jaydmharris.bsky.social last season on the forward’s footballing journey, his steady rise at Brentford + hard work to improve his finishing, his love of chess and teaching himself how to play the piano www.nytimes.com/athletic/604...