Dom Smith
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Dom Smith
@mrdomsmith.bsky.social
1.8K followers 210 following 750 posts
Football Reporter for The Standard.

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The Premier League has announced that the 2026/27 season will have the competition's latest-ever start date (22 Aug) as it seeks to protect “player welfare” at a time when the global football calendar has become “increasingly congested”.
www.standard.co.uk/sport/footba...
Premier League confirms new calendar change to protect player welfare
2026/27 top-flight campaign will start one week later following inaugural 48-team World Cup in North America
www.standard.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 1:50 PM
mrdomsmith.bsky.social
Cole Palmer fractured his toe in a freak accident at home two days ago and will miss the Burnley, Barca and Arsenal games for Chelsea. Setback for the #CFC star's return
November 21, 2025 at 9:41 AM
mrdomsmith.bsky.social
Why Burnley away on Saturday is an audition for the biggest week of Chelsea's season so far… #cfc
www.standard.co.uk/sport/footba...
Chelsea set for Burnley audition ahead of Barca and Arsenal showdowns
Visit to Turf Moor takes on added significance ahead of two huge games next week
www.standard.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 9:34 AM
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How Pedro Neto quietly became one of the key players of the Enzo Maresca era at Chelsea. #CFC
www.standard.co.uk/sport/footba...
How Maresca favourite became one of Chelsea’s most important players
Winger is one of Maresca’s most trusted lieutenants and his return fitness is key with some big games on the horizon
www.standard.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 10:17 AM
mrdomsmith.bsky.social
Understand Armando Broja has avoided serious injury after being stretchered off for #Albania vs England. Ex-Chelsea striker set for scans on ankle after reporting to #Burnley training ground this morning. Not expected to be as bad as first feared.
www.standard.co.uk/sport/footba...
Broja injury latest as ex-Chelsea striker avoids long-term absence
Some positive news regarding the former Chelsea striker after a worrying sight during Albania’s loss to England
www.standard.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 11:11 AM
mrdomsmith.bsky.social
End-of-year piece on Thomas Tuchel's England. Ways he's made them better, plus next steps he and they still must take…
www.standard.co.uk/sport/footba...
Good signs for England as Tuchel finds solutions to some key issues
England have made big strides in their first year under Tuchel
www.standard.co.uk
November 17, 2025 at 12:22 PM
mrdomsmith.bsky.social
Nigeria and Cameroon fail to qualify for a 48-team World Cup. Hungary, Greece and Serbia not good enough to even reach the play-offs. Pretty humiliating
November 16, 2025 at 10:22 PM
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Tuchel's first and perhaps only full year with England ends as it started: against Albania. Preview here
www.standard.co.uk/sport/footba...
Tuchel’s England seek history as they bid to end 2025 on high
Thomas Tuchel’s side target new record as they round off World Cup qualification campaign
www.standard.co.uk
November 16, 2025 at 12:48 PM
mrdomsmith.bsky.social
Eberechi Eze has explained why he is convinced it will be a great season for Arsenal as he works towards becoming a “complete player”. #afc
www.standard.co.uk/sport/footba...
Eze reveals 'exciting times' at Arsenal and explains process to become 'complete'
Attacking midfielder has also explained the similarities between Arsenal and England
www.standard.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 10:32 PM
mrdomsmith.bsky.social
Understand Axel Disasi's return to match action for Chelsea not ruled out. #CFC defender is being reintegrated into first-team training as reward for attitude. Appearances in cup competitions could be further reward. Still transfer-listed for January
www.standard.co.uk/sport/footba...
Chelsea 'bomb squad' star to be reintegrated after academy cameo
French centre-back failed to find a move in the summer
www.standard.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 12:24 PM
mrdomsmith.bsky.social
Phil Foden passed his first test as a false nine, but to know if he truly is the best understudy for Harry Kane, Tuchel should try it again in Albania on Sunday. A piece on Foden and the hunt for Kane's World Cup deputy
www.standard.co.uk/sport/footba...
Tuchel finds Kane alternative 'solution' as forgotten England star shines
Three Lions eased past Serbia on Thursday
www.standard.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 10:44 AM
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My talking points from Wembley as England's subs kept the pace up
www.standard.co.uk/sport/footba...
Three things we learned from Serbia win as England showcase formidable depth
Competition for places as fierce as ever as Bukayo Saka stars alongside impactful cameos from Eberechi Eze, Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham
www.standard.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 11:50 PM
mrdomsmith.bsky.social
On the real Jude Bellingham, and Thomas Tuchel's quest to get the best out of him

This week's sport long-read in @thelondonstandard.bsky.social…
November 13, 2025 at 1:52 PM
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Shim Mheuka pushing for more first-team minutes for Chelsea. #cfc
www.standard.co.uk/sport/footba...
Young Chelsea star pushing for first-team chance with red-hot form
Free-scoring young striker is making himself hard for Enzo Maresca to ignore
www.standard.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 12:41 PM
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Thomas Tuchel has called on his England players to take up meditation and keep wearing their new ‘mind-altering’ slippers
www.standard.co.uk/sport/footba...
Tuchel issues verdict on 'crazy' new England fashion trend
Three Lions players have been spotted sporting strange-looking footwear
www.standard.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 7:03 PM
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Reece James interview

On how leading Chelsea when he was out injured was the “hardest thing” but is now “growing as a captain” for #CFC
www.standard.co.uk/sport/footba...
James explains how Chelsea injury woes under Tuchel helped him 'grow'
Fit-again full-back is relishing his reunion with the German
www.standard.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 10:32 PM
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Maresca says he can see why Estevao was valued at more than £100m this week. #cfc
www.standard.co.uk/sport/footba...
Maresca in agreement with £100m valuation for 'top' Chelsea talent
Wonderkid is giving his manager a selection headache
www.standard.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 9:41 AM
mrdomsmith.bsky.social
Three things we learned from Chelsea's handsome win over Wolves…

🐺Grinding down the league's bottom team
🇧🇷Estevao's instant impact for #CFC
⚽️Gusto's first career goal (and Maresca's reaction)
www.standard.co.uk/sport/footba...
Three things we learned from Chelsea win as Estevao shimmers once more
Brazilian starlet took next to no time to make his mark
www.standard.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 11:04 PM
mrdomsmith.bsky.social
Estevao Willian is pushing for a start against Wolves on Saturday. I've explained why he's #CFC's best attacker right now:
www.standard.co.uk/sport/footba...
Estevao setting benchmark for Chelsea and pushing for Wolves start
Brazilian teenager led the way against Qarabag and is performing for Enzo Maresca with a maturity beyond his years
www.standard.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 11:58 AM
mrdomsmith.bsky.social
After the briefest of false dawns against Wolves, Liam Delap is back. Needs a good performance in Baku, and needs to start reminding Chelsea why they signed him.

Piece on the #cfc striker
www.standard.co.uk/sport/footba...
Time for Delap to step up after stop-start beginning to Chelsea career
Delap has endured a frustrating few months since his £30m summer move from Ipswich but the striker could play a key role for Enzo Maresca
www.standard.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 11:38 AM
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Reggie Walsh reveals which #CFC first-team star he looks up to most. Cole Palmer, naturally…
www.standard.co.uk/sport/footba...
Walsh reveals Chelsea role model who 'sees the game differently'
The 17-year-old is learning from the best
www.standard.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 3:14 PM
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Andrey Santos discusses his best position, his "perfect relationship" with Estevao, and reflects on his nightmare loan at Nottingham Forest, when he was "too young" and not "ready" for the Premier League. #CFC
www.standard.co.uk/sport/footba...
Andrey Santos opens up on 'perfect' Chelsea relationship with Estevao
Brazilian also explains why he is now ‘ready’ for the Premier League after a difficult introduction to English football
www.standard.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 3:03 PM
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A key factor, I think, in why the Premier League is the best league in the world…

Behind only the Andorra and San Marino top divisions (unsurprisingly dominated by Spanish and Italian players, respectively), the Premier League ranks third for the highest percentage of foreign players… (1/3)
November 2, 2025 at 10:34 AM
mrdomsmith.bsky.social
Marcel Desailly exclusive interview

Chelsea legend on:

🏆 When they'll next win Premier League
➕ Needing an extra star signing
💰 #CFC recruitment strategy
🇪🇨 Caicedo value for money?
🇮🇹 ‘Magnificent’ Maresca
www.standard.co.uk/sport/footba...
Desailly exclusive: 'Young generation will surely deliver for Chelsea'
Former Blues captain believes this season is too early for a Premier League title challenge
www.standard.co.uk
October 25, 2025 at 10:00 AM
mrdomsmith.bsky.social
Jorrel Hato opens up about his first few months in English football, and declares Estevao a ‘special one’

New quotes from the #CFC teenager, on:
🇧🇷 Special Estevao
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 “struggles” in England initially
🌟 Chelsea's experienced leaders
www.standard.co.uk/sport/footba...
Hato reveals Chelsea's new 'special one' and responds to Maresca claim
Blues defender addresses manager’s honest assessment over his early ‘struggles’ at Stamford Bridge
www.standard.co.uk
October 23, 2025 at 2:02 PM