Hydration breaks have become one of the major talking points at the World Cup I looked at which broadcasters are using the breaks for advertising, the commercial opportunities they create, and whether they're here to stay www.nytimes.com/athletic/736...

Very excited to see Michael Olise play in his first World Cup match tonight I spoke to his former school teachers, coaches and teammates about his pathway to the top, why it didn't work out at #CFC, his connection to France and what makes him so special www.nytimes.com/athletic/725...

Just two months ago, Coca-Cola signed Cole Palmer as a 'football brand ambassador' A month later, he was left out of England's World Cup squad What does that mean for his partnership with Coca-Cola (and his other deals)? I spoke to industry experts to find out www.nytimes.com/athletic/735...

Le Mans FC are back in Ligue 1 - after a 16 year absence They have secured successive promotions and count Djokovic, Massa, Magnussen and Courtois among their famous investors I spoke to their new ownership group + Massa about their plans #AllezLEMANSFC www.nytimes.com/athletic/731...

Éric Di Meco won the European Cup with Marseille in '93 He now plays in an Oasis tribute band Ahead of this year’s #UCL final, we spoke about that famous OM side, the match-fixing scandal, Euro ’96, meeting Noel Gallagher — and his favourite Oasis songs www.nytimes.com/athletic/731...

'If there’s a fairy tale in the league this season, it’s probably us' How Hull City - who only stayed up on goal difference last year before being hit by a transfer embargo - defied the odds Central to their revival has been popular head coach Sergej Jakirovic www.nytimes.com/athletic/730...

I spent four months in the company of Millwall captain Jake Cooper It was an eventful period that ended with a painful defeat in the playoffs this week This tells the story of that time, the twists and turns along the way, and what life looks like for an EFL player www.nytimes.com/athletic/727...

Frank Lampard interview ▪️ On misconception about British managers ▪️ Coventry promotion 'right at the top' of his career achievements ▪️ His personal point to prove after #CFC caretaker spell ▪️ Response to Steven Gerrard 'egotistical losers' remark (Free to read) www.nytimes.com/athletic/725...

The making of Michael Olise, football's quiet genius Ahead of tonight’s semi final second leg, I spoke to Olise’s former school teachers, coaches and teammates about his rise to the top, why he was let go by #CFC + #MCFC and what makes him so special www.nytimes.com/athletic/725...

▪️ Penalty shootout heroics with a fractured hand ▪️ Keen chess player, board game collector + talented mathematician ▪️ A 'natural born leader' ▪️ Friendship with Kvaratskhelia Matvey Safonov, PSG's Russian goalkeeper trying to keep Bayern Munich quiet over two ties www.nytimes.com/athletic/722...

A 1-1 draw at Blackburn on Friday night sealed promotion for Frank Lampard's team – this is how they fought their way back from League Two to the Premier League. 📝 @tburrows16.bsky.social 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...

After 25 years, Coventry City have returned to the Premier League - sparking jubilant scenes in the away end at Ewood Park tonight A look at their remarkable journey back, the painful near misses - and Frank Lampard’s impact www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...

From a dire financial situation to Europe’s most profitable club I spoke to Lille's owners and president about how they did it: big focus on the academy, smart squad planning, finding 'raw diamonds' in the market + selling players for hefty profits www.nytimes.com/athletic/716...

Cardiff City have today lost their damages claim against French side FC Nantes - more than seven years after the tragic death of Emiliano Sala in a plane crash Cardiff had sought €120million in damages Story on what's been a long-running and bitter legal saga www.nytimes.com/athletic/715...

I interviewed brothers Mohamed and Al Hassan Toure, who are dreaming of representing Australia at the World Cup That would mark another incredible chapter in their life story that began when they born in a refugee camp in Guinea www.nytimes.com/athletic/711...

LFP have granted PSG their request to have big match vs RC Lens postponed - as it was in between their two games vs #LFC That match will now be on Wednesday May 13 LFP said decision taken to 'help France maintain its fifth place in the UEFA coefficient rankings' www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...

'This might have been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join arguably the biggest club in the world. And he’s earned the opportunity' Visited Norwich to chat to Ajay Tavares' youth coach about his rise, after his Barcelona move With @laiacervello.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...

‘He wound his arm back and sucker-punched me in the back of the head’ After a series of recent incidents, I spoke to a number of people across amateur and non-league football in the UK about their ordeals - and what’s really happening www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

LFP confirm PSG have asked for big Ligue 1 match vs RC Lens to be postponed PSG currently scheduled to play Lens on April 11, in between their two #UCL matches vs #LFC Lens strongly against fixture being moved, but LFP have final say #LFC also play on April 11 www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...

Paris Saint-Germain’s demolition of Chelsea over two legs suggests they’re peaking at the perfect time Their injury problems are easing, Barcola is in fine form, while Kvaratskhelia was a constant menace last night My piece on #PSG from Stamford Bridge www.nytimes.com/athletic/712...

My interview with Paulo Fonseca - very engaging company ▪️ Lyon’s 13 straight wins ▪️ Navigating a nine-month ban ▪️ Why he deserved more time at AC Milan ▪️ Calling football 'pleasure' but sadness at how game's changed ▪️ Heartbreak over the war in Ukraine www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...

Roberto De Zerbi is gone, but the drama continues at #OM Another 2-0 lead thrown away (with a 96th min equaliser). Protests during the game. And now Mehdi Benatia has departed too My piece on De Zerbi’s 18 months at a club lurching toward yet another crisis www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...

Timothée Chalamet, the football years 🧤 Playing in goal at Manhattan Kickers 🇫🇷 Summers at French football camp 💚 His love for AS Saint-Étienne ⚽️ Idolising Bafétimbi Gomis growing up (I spoke to the ex-France striker about that) 🥅 Facing Joe Gomez in pre-season match www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...

Roberto De Zerbi’s 18-month spell in charge of #OM featured real highs but there were also moments of severe turbulence + wildly inconsistent results A big read on his tenure, exit, and a dramatic final fortnight at one of Europe’s most volatile clubs www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...

'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.