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Tom Burrows

@tburrows16.bsky.social

Football writer for The Athletic My articles: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/tom-burrows/

1,899 Followers  |  335 Following  |  96 Posts  |  Joined: 21.11.2024  |  2.0082

Latest posts by tburrows16.bsky.social on Bluesky

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Could Chelsea and Liam Rosenior benefit from looking after rather than protecting Estevao? Estevao was the difference maker for Chelsea against Crystal Palace on Sunday

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...

26.01.2026 11:56 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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McLaren awarded more than $12m in legal case against IndyCar champion Alex Palou The dispute dates back to October 2022, when Palou agreed to sign for McLaren’s IndyCar team, Arrow McLaren.

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 ⤵️

23.01.2026 14:09 — 👍 5    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 1
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Chelsea 1 Pafos 0 – Low-block toils, set-piece reward but will this do in Naples? Liam Rosenior's side dominated against the Cypriot minnows but only prevailed with a goal from a set piece 12 minutes from the end

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...

21.01.2026 22:10 — 👍 1    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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PSG defender Lucas Hernandez denies charges of human trafficking and undeclared work from Colombian family The Versailles Judicial Court have confirmed that an investigation is underway. Hernandez denies the charges.

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

21.01.2026 19:08 — 👍 13    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0
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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

17.01.2026 13:57 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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At Stamford Bridge tonight for #CFC v #AFC where Liam Rosenior has just been introduced to the home supporters for the first time

14.01.2026 20:01 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Liam Rosenior, Chelsea and the benefits and risks of hiring within a multi-club model Rosenior has joined from their French sister club Strasbourg. How will that impact his time at Stamford Bridge?

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...

10.01.2026 07:39 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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What Liam Rosenior might have learned watching Chelsea from the stands The new Chelsea head coach watched the loss at Fulham alongside co-owner Behdad Eghbali and there was plenty to digest

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...

08.01.2026 12:11 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
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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

07.01.2026 19:40 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 1
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Strasbourg fans on Liam Rosenior’s potential exit and comparisons with INEOS-owned Nice BlueCo's Strasbourg drew 1-1 with INEOS' Nice on Saturday – The Athletic spoke to supporters of both clubs about life in a multi-club model

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...

04.01.2026 07:31 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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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

03.01.2026 17:58 — 👍 3    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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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...

02.01.2026 15:34 — 👍 10    🔁 4    💬 0    📌 5
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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...

01.01.2026 12:12 — 👍 89    🔁 20    💬 14    📌 37
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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...

30.12.2025 09:01 — 👍 9    🔁 3    💬 1    📌 1
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What is it like to be a Premier League referee? An interview with Graham Scott Scott refereed in the Premier League for a decade before retiring in 2024. He has spoken to The Athletic about his career...

▪️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...

30.12.2025 08:59 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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West Ham need leaders like Billy Bonds if they are to survive in the Premier League The defeat against Villa once again highlighted West Ham’s defensive frailties, as well as their dearth of leaders

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...

15.12.2025 10:09 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Kylian Mbappe and PSG are claiming hundreds of millions of euros from each other. This is why One of the world’s greatest footballers wants €263million. The European champions' counterclaim is for €440m

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...

12.12.2025 07:51 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Jude Soonsup-Bell on Chelsea, Spurs and his new international career with Thailand The former Chelsea and Spurs youngster - an England youth international - has switched to play for the country of his mother's birth

🔹 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...

02.12.2025 12:34 — 👍 3    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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Nice players physically assaulted in confrontation with hundreds of fans following Lorient defeat After Sunday's 3-1 loss around 400 Nice supporters gathered at the club’s training ground.

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...

01.12.2025 16:43 — 👍 1    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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Domenico Tedesco interview: ‘Everywhere you go, you have Fenerbahce fans. You feel this electricity’ The Athletic spoke to Fenerbahce's head coach before the Intercontinental Derby against Galatasaray on Monday

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...

30.11.2025 07:57 — 👍 3    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Chelsea’s one-game wonders: ‘I didn’t realise how big an achievement it was’ The Athletic has spoken to some of the players who only made solitary appearances for Chelsea

🔹 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...

24.11.2025 09:36 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Cole Palmer’s celebration trademark: Have others done the same? Will it become more common? Cole Palmer's decision to trademark his celebration has led to a series of other questions

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.

18.11.2025 18:10 — 👍 12    🔁 1    💬 3    📌 0
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Will Vaulks wins FIFPRO award for work around mental health in football “It gives me an even louder voice, so that’s my main delight with winning it," Vaulks told The Athletic.

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

18.11.2025 17:36 — 👍 54    🔁 6    💬 0    📌 1
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Will Vaulks wins FIFPRO award for work around mental health in football “It gives me an even louder voice, so that’s my main delight with winning it," Vaulks told The Athletic.

‘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...

18.11.2025 17:00 — 👍 1    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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Cole Palmer’s celebration trademark: Have others done the same? Will it become more common? Cole Palmer's decision to trademark his celebration has led to a series of other questions

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...

18.11.2025 10:16 — 👍 0    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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Chelsea’s Cole Palmer trademarks signature shivering celebration Other players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe, Gareth Bale and Erling Haaland have also had celebration trademarks confirmed.

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

10.11.2025 14:24 — 👍 18    🔁 1    💬 22    📌 12
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The ex-Liverpool ‘wizard’ who is Chelsea’s new sporting director: ‘A diamond to have in your camp’ Dave Fallows has worked for Newcastle, Manchester City and Liverpool, and is now part of a five-strong leadership group at Stamford Bridge

'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...

08.11.2025 07:33 — 👍 5    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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McLaren waged ‘long and expensive war’ against Alex Palou, says driver’s lawyer The trial, which began at the end of September, saw both legal teams give their closing arguments at London’s High Court on Wednesday.

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...

05.11.2025 21:44 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Lyon exploring January loan move for Real Madrid’s Endrick A simple loan has been mooted, with Madrid paying part of Endrick's wages.

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

31.10.2025 18:05 — 👍 7    🔁 1    💬 2    📌 1
Lucas Paqueta.

Lucas Paqueta.

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...

31.10.2025 12:36 — 👍 7    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 1

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