Dom Smith
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Dom Smith
@mrdomsmith.bsky.social
Football Reporter for The Standard.

On X: @MrDomSmith
Estevao vs Lamine Yamal, and why a battle of the wonderkids could define Chelsea vs Barcelona tonight...
www.standard.co.uk/sport/footba...
Chelsea star Estevao out to upstage Yamal in battle of wonderkids
Teenage prodigies tipped as future Ballon d’Or winners set to Champions League showdown at Stamford Bridge
www.standard.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Crystal Palace will need to significantly up their offer of a new wage packet for Jean-Philippe Mateta if they are to have any hope of convincing the Frenchman to sign a new contract. Understand the sticking point is his base salary. #CPFC
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Mateta talks over new Crystal Palace contract reach sticking point
Striker’s contract is due to expire in the summer of 2027 and he dreams of playing in the Champions League
www.standard.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Cole Palmer is feeling good. Enzo Maresca doesn't expect him back for #AFC but doesn't rule it out. Palmer quotes in full from #CFC manager:
www.standard.co.uk/sport/footba...
Palmer gives Chelsea major injury boost as Maresca issues new update
Palmer ‘feeling good’ following return to training after freak injury
www.standard.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Three things we learnt from Chelsea's win at Turf Moor

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Gittens finding his feet
❌ Delap's struggles continue
🇵🇹 Why Standard Sport was right about Neto
www.standard.co.uk/sport/footba...
Three things we learned from Chelsea win as Neto underlines importance
Liam Delap endured another difficult afternoon leading the line as summer signing awaits first Premier League goal for Chelsea
www.standard.co.uk
November 22, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Chelsea want Cole Palmer back asap, but his period out has allowed others to come to the fore. They’ve coped well without him. Burnley v #CFC preview
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Why Chelsea can be confident new Cole Palmer injury blow will not derail season
Cole Palmer’s injury issues have not derailed Chelsea’s season as Enzo Maresca prepares to be without his best player for longer than expected
www.standard.co.uk
November 22, 2025 at 8:49 AM
News of Cole Palmer’s freak toe fracture was communicated to Enzo Maresca in the form of an 11pm text from the club doctor. Plan was he'd return to training Thursday… but #CFC man stubbed his toe Wednesday... Just unlucky
www.standard.co.uk/sport/footba...
Enzo Maresca reveals worrying way he found out about Cole Palmer's freak accident
Chelsea star has broken his little toe after stubbing it on a door
www.standard.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 10:32 PM
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”.
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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
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
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
How Pedro Neto quietly became one of the key players of the Enzo Maresca era at Chelsea. #CFC
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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
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
End-of-year piece on Thomas Tuchel's England. Ways he's made them better, plus next steps he and they still must take…
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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
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
Tuchel's first and perhaps only full year with England ends as it started: against Albania. Preview here
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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
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
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
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
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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