Football writer @TheAthleticFC, mostly covering Chelsea. Opinions my own

Joined April 2021
243 Photos and videos
Pinned Tweet
A long read on the ‘national emergency’ of violence against women and girls and whether the Premier League could do more. Free to read on this gift link: nytimes.com/athletic/7143844…
Leagues elsewhere in Europe have competition-wide campaigns against it. Charities say football is a space where a huge number of men and boys can be engaged. The government has recognised the value of using football in the fight. So, could the Premier League do more to combat violence against women and girls? 🔗 nytimes.com/athletic/7143844…
2
24
88
52,795
RT @TheAthleticFC: Thomas Partey was called up for Ghana’s World Cup squad despite rape and sexual assault charges against him in the Unite…
52
Latest @TheAthleticFC World Cup pod out now to tide you over before it all kicks off agai tonight. Talking Mexico, red cards, Canada (@ArtdeRoche’s nemesis, apparently) USMNT & empty seats. 🎧 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcas… 📹 youtu.be/XNmytTVPTt4
5
551
This is a superb read for before the football kicks off tonight
NEW: The public costs of this World Cup will run into billions for US host cities. Here’s the inside story of how FIFA’s hosting contracts transferred the cost burden & limited the ability of host cities to raise funds. nytimes.com/athletic/7314190…
2
872
Cerys Jones retweeted
Have you heard of our Pick 'Em game? If you haven't, that's okay — because @JM_Devine is here to explain: Play here: nytimes.com/athletic/pickem/…
20
88
180
178,741
Happy World Cup day (finally!) Very excited to be part of @TheAthleticFC's World Cup podcast over the tournament. New episodes every day Monday-Saturday throughout, talking through the biggest stories. You can watch listen to today's episode now. youtube.com/watch?v=MU5nTLGS…
1
10
7,029
Manchester City agree deal to sign England intl Beth Mead after Arsenal departure. Chelsea's Niamh Charles set to have City medical today. Story from @megan_feringa, analysis from me - free to read @TheAthleticFC nytimes.com/athletic/7348036…
2
9
126
5,631
I played a v small part in this project which has been a massive team effort and is great fun. Give it a read, gift link here: nytimes.com/athletic/interac…
Welcome to Stars of Soccer, The Athletic’s World Cup player guide. Lionel Messi is here, and there’s room for Cristiano Ronaldo too. There are legends of the game, the current elite, rising stars and others who really make their teams tick. They are old and young, some at their first World Cup, some at their sixth. They are players you should enjoy this summer, and we are here to tell you all about them (and how to pronounce their names). 🔗 nytimes.com/athletic/7279880…
2
15
2,480
Five players on Chelsea's books have made our list - I wrote our 'Rising Star' profiles for two of their defenders. Mamadou Sarr: nytimes.com/athletic/interac…
1
2
655
Cerys Jones retweeted
England will need the playoffs to reach next summer’s Women's World Cup. Those games could be a chance for Sarina Wiegman to test players on the fringes of her squad in a high-stakes environment. But the risk of tinkering with a successful team should be carefully considered. ✍️ @reallycerys 🔗 nytimes.com/athletic/7346418…
25
9
140
31,599
After Mallorca, the #Lionesses continue their tour of seaside destinations on equally glamorous Merseyside. Need to better Spain’s result against Iceland to qualify automatically for next summer’s World Cup. Most of all they need a response after Friday. @TheAthleticFC
1
21
1,195
Cerys Jones retweeted
𝗦𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗗 𝗔𝗨𝗗𝗜𝗧: 𝗞𝗘𝗘𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗦 🧤 Over the next few weeks we're taking a closer look at the squad, position-by-position. @MattDaviesAdams, @reallycerys & @liam_twomey on duty tomorrow... Thoughts please on the #CFC GK situation - and anything else while you're at it!

ALT The Simpsons Homer Simpsons GIF

6
4
9
3,186
Cerys Jones retweeted
England have suffered setbacks under Sarina Wiegman before, but they have not been dominated like they were against Spain. Friday’s loss was the Lionesses’ heaviest defeat since losing 6-2 to Germany in the 2009 European Championship final, and their heaviest without scoring since a 4-0 loss to Germany in September 2003. The 4-0 defeat by Spain was a shock to the system and showed that England’s floor is perhaps lower than they thought. “We just didn’t play good enough,” Wiegman said. “And we couldn’t step up any more.” 📝 @reallycerys Free to read: bit.ly/4ufSGkP
27
42
328
73,690
Losing 4-0 to Spain doesn’t make England a bad team. But if they are to fulfil their aim of winning the World Cup, they have to be able to match the world champions — on their day or Spain’s. Right now, they can’t. From Mallorca @TheAthleticFC free read nytimes.com/athletic/7337168…
16
4
91
24,764
According to Opta, that 4-0 defeat is England #Lionesses' heaviest since 2009 Euro final against Germany (6-2) 2009, and heaviest without scoring since September 2003 (4-0 also against Germany). Not the marker they were hoping to set against the world champions tonight.
4
14
81
7,264
A tweak up top with Hemp leading the line, Russo dropping into the 10 (as she's done for Arsenal at times this season) and Mead and Kelly as the wingers, but they're seeing so little of the ball that it's hard to see how it makes a difference. #Lionesses
3
9
2,455
3-0 after 55 minutes and that is game over. England again opened up so easily. Spain have been all over them, and they have been all over the place. Beth Mead, Chloe Kelly getting ready but it is too late. #Lionesses
5
4
31
3,808
The halftime whistle - no stoppage time - puts England out of their misery. Spain's 2-0 lead fully deserved; they have completely controlled this game #Lionesses
6
1,316