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

My articles: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/tom-burrows/
'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...
Inside RC Lens: The David challenging Paris Saint-Germain’s Goliath in France
We visit northern France to speak to the key figures at a small club taking on the might of a team funded by a nation state
www.nytimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:15 AM
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
January 30, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Reposted by Tom Burrows
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.
Football’s sleeping pills problem: ‘My usage was ridiculous – I was in La La Land’
The Athletic spoke to people involved in football about the problems with sleeping pills
www.nytimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 9:49 AM
'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...
Football’s sleeping pills problem: ‘My usage was ridiculous – I was in La La Land’
The Athletic spoke to people involved in football about the problems with sleeping pills
www.nytimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 7:26 AM
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...
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
www.nytimes.com
January 26, 2026 at 11:56 AM
Reposted by Tom Burrows
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 ⤵️
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.
theathletic.com
January 23, 2026 at 2:09 PM
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...
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
www.nytimes.com
January 21, 2026 at 10:10 PM
Reposted by Tom Burrows
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
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.
www.nytimes.com
January 21, 2026 at 7:08 PM
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
January 17, 2026 at 1:57 PM
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