Tom Burrows
banner
tburrows16.bsky.social
Tom Burrows
@tburrows16.bsky.social
Football writer for The Athletic

My articles: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/tom-burrows/
At Stamford Bridge tonight for #CFC v #AFC where Liam Rosenior has just been introduced to the home supporters for the first time
January 14, 2026 at 8:01 PM
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...
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?
www.nytimes.com
January 10, 2026 at 7:40 AM
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...
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
www.nytimes.com
January 8, 2026 at 12:11 PM
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
January 7, 2026 at 7:40 PM
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...
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
www.nytimes.com
January 4, 2026 at 7:31 AM
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
January 3, 2026 at 5:59 PM
Reposted by Tom Burrows
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...
January 2, 2026 at 3:34 PM
Reposted by Tom Burrows
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...
January 1, 2026 at 12:12 PM
Reposted by Tom Burrows
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...
December 30, 2025 at 9:02 AM
▪️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...
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...
www.nytimes.com
December 30, 2025 at 8:59 AM
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...
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
www.nytimes.com
December 15, 2025 at 10:10 AM
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...
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
www.nytimes.com
December 12, 2025 at 7:51 AM
🔹 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...
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
www.nytimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 12:34 PM
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...
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.
www.nytimes.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:43 PM
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...
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
www.nytimes.com
November 30, 2025 at 7:57 AM
🔹 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...
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
www.nytimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Reposted by Tom Burrows
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.
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
nyti.ms
November 18, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Reposted by Tom Burrows
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
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.
www.nytimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:36 PM
‘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...
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.
www.nytimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:00 PM
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...
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
www.nytimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Reposted by Tom Burrows
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
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.
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:24 PM
'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...
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
www.nytimes.com
November 8, 2025 at 7:33 AM
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...
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.
www.nytimes.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Reposted by Tom Burrows
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
Lyon exploring January loan move for Real Madrid’s Endrick
A simple loan has been mooted, with Madrid paying part of Endrick's wages.
www.nytimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Reposted by Tom Burrows
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...
October 31, 2025 at 12:36 PM