Before Tortoise, Chloe worked as a freelance football writer, specialising in Italian football. My bylines have appeared in Forbes, the Guardian, the i newspaper, Mundial Magazine and on the AS Roma website. She’s also appeared on several podcasts including the BBC 5Live’s Euro Leagues.
Chloe Beresford
Playmaker writer and host
“Working for Tortoise gives me the freedom to write the stories that really matter. Storytelling and football are my passions, and so to combine them in the Playmaker makes me love what I do, every single day.”
-
Friday 20 May 2022
Playmaker – season review, part II
Chloe Beresford and Andrew Butler continue to reflect on the 2021/2022 season. In this final episode of the Playmaker they discuss club ownership, diversity in football and the overall state of English football.
-
Thursday 19 May 2022
Playmaker – season review, part I
Chloe Beresford and Andrew Butler reflect on the 2021/2022 season. In part one they discuss the return of fans to stadiums after Covid restrictions, preparations for the Qatar World Cup and the state of the women’s game.
-
Monday 16 May 2022
The Ewood Express
Diego Maradona’s infamous ‘Hand of God’ shirt has sold for over £7million – and in the process has made former England midfielder Steve Hodge incredibly rich.
-
Thursday 12 May 2022
The King of Angel City
Angel City FC sold out its first ever match in the US National Women’s Soccer League. But it aims to be more than just a success on the pitch, thanks to its star-studded backers like tennis veteran Billie-Jean King.
-
Wednesday 11 May 2022
The Iñaki Williams method
Athletic Bilbao forward Iñaki Williams has set the standard for playing time in Spain, having played more consecutive matches than any other player in history. What’s his secret?
-
Tuesday 10 May 2022
The fall of the penalty king
Jorginho was Chelsea’s star penalty taker. But recently he hasn’t been able to convert. What happened to the penalty king?
-
Thursday 5 May 2022
The misunderstanding of Paul Pogba
Reports suggest that Paul Pogba will leave Manchester United this summer. He’s often been an unpopular figure at Old Trafford, but has he really been as much of a failure as people say?
-
Wednesday 4 May 2022
Newcastle’s mission possible
Newcastle looked doomed to almost certain relegation when Eddie Howe took over in November. But in the end they achieved safety with games to spare. How has he done it?
-
Thursday 28 April 2022
England’s El Clasico
Manchester City and Liverpool have been dominating the Premier League for the last few years. Is this fixture becoming England’s El Clasico?
-
Wednesday 27 April 2022
Oldham’s long road back
Unpopular owner Abdullah Lemsagam has seen his club Oldham relegated out of the football league for the first time in their history. Can they find their way back?
-
Tuesday 26 April 2022
Manchester United’s open heart surgery
Erik Ten Hag will be the Manchester United manager from next season. But if the team needs “open heart surgery,” will he be given the space he needs to complete the job?
-
Monday 25 April 2022
Karren Brady kicking down doors
Karren Brady has paved the way for women in leadership roles in football. But 30 years after she took over at Birmingham City, why are there still only a small percentage of women in roles like hers?
-
Thursday 21 April 2022
Kenny Shiels gets emotional
Northern Ireland Women’s manager Kenny Shiels caused controversy when he claimed that female players are more emotional than their male counterparts. But isn’t emotion just part of football?
-
Wednesday 20 April 2022
The Sean Dyche sacking
Relegation-threatened Burnley shocked the world of football by firing long serving manager Sean Dyche with just eight games to go on his contract. Why did they do it?
-
Tuesday 19 April 2022
The new England captain
England is hosting the Women’s Euros this summer. With hundreds of thousands of tickets already sold, new captain Leah Williamson has an important role to play.
-
Wednesday 13 April 2022
Qatar under the microscope
Qatar has consistently denied that migrant workers involved in preparations for this year’s World Cup have suffered human rights abuses. But a new Amnesty International report has forced them to admit some of the problems.
-
Tuesday 12 April 2022
Neil Warnock’s goodbye
Record-breaking Neil Warnock has finally said goodbye to football management. What will his legacy be?
-
Monday 11 April 2022
Gambling ads ban
Sports stars will no longer be allowed to advertise gambling products in the UK from October. But there’s more to this rule change than you might think.
-
Thursday 7 April 2022
Wembley travel chaos
Manchester City and Liverpool fans are unable to travel by train to Wembley for their FA Cup semi-final because of planned engineering works. What is the FA doing about it?
-
Wednesday 6 April 2022
The Italian Job
It’s been a bumpy ride so far for new Spurs managing director of football Fabio Paratici, but together with fellow Italian Antonio Conte he seems to be succeeding.
-
Tuesday 5 April 2022
The Fab Five
After voting against the introduction of five substitutes on three separate occasions, the Premier League has now agreed to the new rule from next season. Who will it benefit?
-
Monday 4 April 2022
Fasting footballers
During the month of Ramadan, those who observe it cannot eat or drink from dawn until sunset. How do you cope if you’re a Muslim footballer who fasts?
-
Thursday 31 March 2022
Goodbye to FFP
Financial Fair Play was brought in by UEFA in 2011, but now it’s being scrapped in favour of a new financial monitoring system for clubs. What will the changes mean?
-
Wednesday 30 March 2022
Gerrard versus Saka
Bukayo Saka says sometimes players need more protection from being fouled, but ex-players like Steven Gerrard disagree. Who is right?
-
Tuesday 29 March 2022
Tammy the King of Rome
How has Tammy Abraham settled in so well at Roma, when other English players have failed to adapt to life abroad?
-
Thursday 24 March 2022
Trinity Rodman’s role model
Trinity Rodman is setting her own precedents in the US Women’s Soccer League, but her role model isn’t who you might think.
-
Wednesday 23 March 2022
Everton in trouble
Everton has made huge financial losses under owner Farhad Moshiri. What would relegation mean for the club?
-
Monday 21 March 2022
Old Trafford versus the bulldozer
Plans to redevelop Manchester United’s iconic stadium include the option to knock it down completely and build a new ground, but fans are reluctant. How important is a stadium to a team’s success?
-
Thursday 17 March 2022
What next for Chelsea Women?
What will the sanctions against Roman Abramovich, Chelsea’s owner, mean for Emma Hayes and the women’s team?
-
Wednesday 16 March 2022
When a transfer becomes political
When Yaroslav Rakitskyi moved from Shakhtar Donetsk to Zenit St. Petersburg, he was dropped from the Ukrainian National team. Why did it take a war for him to fully realise the implications of his move?
-
Tuesday 15 March 2022
Football’s greatest goalscorer
Cristiano Ronaldo has broken the record for the most goals scored in football history. But some say his competitors have scored more than have been recorded.
-
Monday 14 March 2022
Chelsea’s travel troubles
Government sanctions mean that Chelsea can only spend £20,000 on away trips. How much does it cost to take a football club abroad?
-
Thursday 10 March 2022
Football’s caveman concussion policy
Footballers are three and half times more likely to develop neurodegenerative diseases later in life. So why aren’t policy makers acting?
-
Wednesday 9 March 2022
Bielsa the Messiah
Leeds fans worshipped Marcelo Bielsa. Did he deserve their adoration?
-
Tuesday 8 March 2022
Chelsea’s farewell to Abramovich
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is selling up. The fans love what he’s done for their club, but should they be considering the bigger picture?
-
Monday 7 March 2022
Lies, damned lies and statistics
Pep Guardiola thinks football is becoming too obsessed with statistics. Is he right?
-
Thursday 3 March 2022
Pay win for US Women’s team
Megan Rapinoe and the US women’s team have finally won their equal pay dispute and will receive the same as the men’s national team. But what does it mean for the wider world of women’s football?
-
Wednesday 2 March 2022
World football tackles Russia
FIFA and UEFA suspended all Russian teams from their competitions on Monday. But only after first announcing much softer sanctions.
-
Tuesday 1 March 2022
Abramovich steps back from Chelsea
Under political pressure over links he’s believed to have to Vladimir Putin, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has put the club in the care of its trustees. But what does the gesture really mean?
-
Friday 25 February 2022
UEFA’s Russia problem
The Champions League final is due to be held in Russia, so UEFA has a decision to make. Does it allow it to go ahead in St Petersburg, as the host nation invades Ukraine, or not?
-
Thursday 24 February 2022
Wilderball
Middlesbrough fans are going wild for manager Chris Wilder after he turned their fortunes round since taking over in November.
-
Wednesday 23 February 2022
Les Ferdinand’s Rooney Rule
QPR sporting director and ex-player Les Ferdinand has been campaigning for years about the lack of black coaches in English football. Is America’s Rooney Rule the answer?
-
Tuesday 22 February 2022
From a dust pitch to Anfield
Luis Diaz is making the headlines as Liverpool’s latest star signing. But his background is far from what you would expect.
-
Monday 21 February 2022
Mbappé in the shop window
Kylian Mbappé has been linked with a move to Real Madrid. Is the superstar about to revive their fortunes?
-
Thursday 17 February 2022
Harry Maguire’s pressing problem
Harry Maguire has made some high profile mistakes for Manchester United recently, despite excellent performances for England. What’s gone wrong?
-
Tuesday 15 February 2022
Dele Alli’s Rolls Royce
Everton’s new signing has been criticised for his choice of car and clothes before he had even kicked a ball for his new side. Does what a player wears, or drives, really matter?
-
Monday 14 February 2022
Understanding Maradona
Diego Maradona, infamous for his ‘Hand of God’ goal against England at the 1986 World Cup, was a complex character. It is only after his death that people are really starting to understand one of the greatest players football has ever seen.
-
Friday 11 February 2022
West Ham’s mixed messages
The public were appalled by Kurt Zouma’s cruelty towards his cat. So why, when West Ham had condemned his behaviour, did they allow him to play immediately after the video had emerged?
-
Thursday 10 February 2022
Adrian Clifton finds hope
Boreham Wood’s FA Cup fairytale is not just a sporting success. For midfielder Adrian Clifton it is personal too.
-
Wednesday 9 February 2022
The serenity of Kalidou Koulibaly
Kalidou Koulibaly says he values serenity over most things. After turning down a chance to play for France and several top European clubs, his poise paid off when he lifted the Africa Cup of Nations for Senegal last weekend.
-
Tuesday 8 February 2022
A Manchester disaster
64 years ago, a plane carrying the Manchester United team crashed in Munich killing 23 people. It is a tragedy that unites both of the city’s teams.
-
Monday 7 February 2022
Val McDermid vs. Raith Rovers
When Raith Rovers signed David Goowillie, a man found by a civil court to be a rapist, it was met with vocal opposition from high-profile fan Val McDermid. His signing was eventually reversed, but had the damage already been done?
-
Thursday 3 February 2022
Ramsey to Rangers
Wales international Aaron Ramsey has signed for Rangers. But are their fans right to be excited about his arrival when he was plagued by injuries at Juventus?
-
Wednesday 2 February 2022
Christian Eriksen returns
After suffering a cardiac arrest on the pitch during Euro 2020, Christian Eriksen has signed for Brentford. But is it safe for him to play?
-
Tuesday 1 February 2022
Beckham’s Miami challenge
David Beckham has faced an uphill battle with his Major League Soccer team, Inter Miami. Can he turn it around?
-
Monday 31 January 2022
Female footballers’ maternity victory
Last week, the FA agreed that professional women’s footballers would get maternity cover as standard. But why did it take so long?
-
Friday 28 January 2022
Newcastle feel the heat
Newcastle United flew for ‘warm weather’ training this week – but how long can manager Eddie Howe duck accusations of Saudi ‘sportswashing’?
-
Thursday 27 January 2022
Rising disorder
Disorder increased after fans returned to matches. There are hopes it will naturally subside.
-
Wednesday 26 January 2022
The AFCON tragedy
A crush outside the stadium where Cameroon were playing Comoros in the Africa Cup of Nations has left eight people dead. What do we know about what happened?
-
Tuesday 25 January 2022
The loan sharks
The rules on loaning players are about to change. What problem are FIFA trying to deal with?
-
Monday 24 January 2022
Shashoua’s no sheep
Moving from a Premier League club to the Spanish second division seems like a very big drop. But it’s not that simple. The story of Samuel Shashoua shows why playing abroad could be a golden ticket for young footballers.
-
Thursday 20 January 2022
Football’s strangest journey
How does a boy from Peru, now a podcast host in the States, become a passionate Aston Villa fan?
-
Wednesday 19 January 2022
Alder-what?
The Aldershot manager Mark Molesley has given “the greatest ever football interview” – a surrealist masterpiece.
-
Tuesday 18 January 2022
The one and only James Ward-Prowse
James Ward-Prowse has now scored the second most direct free-kicks in Premier League history – his route to get there has involved some difficult decisions.
-
Monday 17 January 2022
Derby Direct?
Former Newcastle owner Mike ‘SportsDirect’ Ashley is said to be preparing a £50m offer to buy Derby County. Will it be a bargain, or bust?
-
Thursday 13 January 2022
The border that isn’t funny any more
Chester FC’s ground is partly in England, partly in Wales. With different Covid rules in the two countries that’s turning into a real headache.
-
Wednesday 12 January 2022
Watching a star being born
Dusan Vlahovic is the most sought-after striker in European football. Chloe Beresford was there to see him make his breakthrough.
-
Tuesday 11 January 2022
Big hearts
Even before the pandemic, Midlothian in Scotland had high levels of child poverty. In lockdown, Heart of Midlothian F.C. stepped in to help.
-
Monday 10 January 2022
China’s forgotten dream
Five years ago, six Premier League clubs had Chinese owners. Now there’s only one left. What’s changed?
-
Thursday 6 January 2022
Managing the truth
Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku had to apologise for saying he’d like to go back to Inter Milan one day. Is this an example of how clubs are trying to control every word their players speak?
-
Wednesday 5 January 2022
Welfare warfare
When managers play the ‘player welfare’ card, are they being thoughtful or cynical?
-
Tuesday 4 January 2022
2022: Playmaker predictions
What do we think will happen on and off the pitch in 2022?
-
Thursday 16 December 2021
Merry Kitmas
Children whose families can’t afford a football kit for them to play in often feel left out. What can be done?
-
Wednesday 15 December 2021
Manchester United’s new employee
Manchester United have just employed a full-time sports psychologist for the first time in 20 years. Why’s it taken them so long to replace the last one?
-
Tuesday 14 December 2021
Maldini’s Milan
Paolo Maldini helped AC Milan win the Champions League five out of the seven times they’ve won it. But the last time they won was 2007. So why are the team now a shadow of their former selves?
-
Monday 13 December 2021
What’s going on at the PFA?
The Professional Footballers Association is the players’ union. But how well does it represent their interests? And why isn’t it more open about its activities?
-
Thursday 9 December 2021
Sergio Aguero and the anti-vaxxers
How a new conspiracy – about the Covid-19 vaccine causing players to collapse on the pitch – has taken hold.
-
Wednesday 8 December 2021
The grand old team
Everton’s majority owner, Farhad Moshiri, puts the club’s poor performance down to injuries. But what does hiring eight managers in six years really tell us?
-
Tuesday 7 December 2021
The Newcastle snub
Former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor has said Newcastle United might struggle to attract big talent because players don’t want to live in the north east. It didn’t go down well – but is he right?
-
Monday 6 December 2021
Rainbow laces – are they enough?
The rainbow laces campaign is a fixture in the Premier League calendar. But how far can it go to change the game for LGBTQ+ fans and players?
-
Thursday 2 December 2021
The Premier League fights back
The MP Tracey Crouch’s fan led review is creating waves. Is one of the world’s most successful leagues under threat?
-
Tuesday 30 November 2021
Prostate United
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. Now Luton Town FC and Mick Harford are putting up a fight.
-
Tuesday 30 November 2021
Changing the way football is run
The MP Tracey Crouch has come up with a plan to change the way football in England is run. It looks like it might be adopted.
-
Monday 29 November 2021
Conte and the ketchup
The new Spurs manager, Antonio Conte, has banned his players from eating ketchup. Is no condiment safe?
-
Thursday 25 November 2021
The Rainbow Team
France’s victorious 1998 World Cup side were nicknamed the “Rainbow Team” for their ethnic diversity. How is Lilian Thuram using his platform to talk about racism today?
-
Wednesday 24 November 2021
Gareth Southgate: The “nearly” man?
This week, Gareth Southgate extended his contract with England until 2024. But will he always just be the “nearly” man?
-
Tuesday 23 November 2021
Afghan women footballers – lives on the line
Kim Kardashian is an unlikely guardian angel for the women who play for Afghanistan’s national football team. But she came to their help in their hour of need.
-
Monday 22 November 2021
The fall and rise of Stockport County
For years, Stockport County have been on the slide. Have they finally found the way back up?
-
Thursday 18 November 2021
Scotland’s revolution
Scotland just won their sixth consecutive game for the first time in 90 years. Is their boss Steve Clarke finally pulling out all the stops?
-
Wednesday 17 November 2021
Graham Potter – sleeping away from home
The Brighton manager, Graham Potter, has been sleeping rough to publicise a campaign to end homelessness. Can he make a difference?
-
Tuesday 9 November 2021
Can Xavi fix Barca?
Barcelona legend Xavi is back at his old club as manager. But the job ahead of him is one of the most difficult in world football.
-
Monday 8 November 2021
The one per cent club
Common Goal tries to get footballers to donate 1% of their salary to good causes. It’s starting to work, but it’s working better among relatively low-paid women footballers than among the highly-paid men.
-
Thursday 4 November 2021
The Moyesiah
David Moyes was sacked by Man Utd and ridiculed at Real Sociedad. At West Ham, he’s risen again – spectacularly.
-
Wednesday 3 November 2021
The genius of Jeff
Jeff Stelling is stepping down from Soccer Saturday on Sky. A football nation mourns.
-
Tuesday 2 November 2021
Antonio Conte – Mr 100%
He’s one of the most formidable characters in global football – a superstar and a tyrant. And Antonio Conte seems to be heading back to the Premier League soon.
-
Monday 1 November 2021
Carli Lloyd’s farewell
Carli Lloyd, the American GOAT superstar, is bidding farewell to her international career. But behind the success, there has been a price to pay.
-
Thursday 28 October 2021
Not just a surname?
Romano Floriani Mussolini has signed for the Italian side Lazio. He’s not even played for their first team, and is already making headlines. Why?
-
Wednesday 27 October 2021
Not so golden
For a reported £150m, David Beckham has agreed to become the face of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar – and an ambassador for the country. It’s a move that might put his reputation at risk…
-
Tuesday 26 October 2021
Shut up and dribble
Marcus Rashford has become as much an activist as a footballer. Can any player successfully balance on- and off-the-field activities?
-
Monday 25 October 2021
Keeping it in the football family
The PSG star Mauro Icardi’s spectacular fall-out with his wife has become big news – because she’s his agent, too. More and more footballers seem to be mixing family with business.
-
Thursday 21 October 2021
When will Newcastle win the league?
It’s one thing for Newcastle to get a lot of money to spend from their new Saudi owners. It’s another altogether to build a successful team with it.
-
Wednesday 20 October 2021
The best reject in the world
Liverpool’s Mo Salah is one of the best players in the world at the moment. Did his rise to the top start when Chelsea decided he wasn’t good enough for them?
-
Tuesday 19 October 2021
Sir Alex Ferguson’s shadow
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is struggling at Man United. Does the continuing presence of his illustrious predecessor, Sir Alex Ferguson, help or hinder him?
-
Monday 18 October 2021
Calming down football
The atmosphere at a football match can be frenzied – too frenzied for people with autism. Now some clubs are finding ways to calm things down.
-
Thursday 14 October 2021
What makes a footballer great?
Simon Kjaer has been nominated for the biggest individual award in football, the Ballon d’Or. Is it recognition of his skill as a player, or what he did to help save the life of his team-mate, Christian Eriksen?
-
Wednesday 13 October 2021
The Middle East’s golden girl
Last week, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund took a controlling stake of Newcastle United for £300 million. It’s the most controversial Premier League takeover to date. But who’s pulling all the strings?
-
Tuesday 12 October 2021
Tyrone Mings, defender – and ally
The Aston Villa and England defender, Tyrone Mings, spoke out in support of the all-woman team of officials at England’s game against Andorra. It’s not the first time he has stuck his head above the parapet.
-
Monday 11 October 2021
Rhys Porter and his critics
Rhys Porter is a young Fulham fan who was trolled online because of his disability. He’s turned that experience into a big step forward for disabled football supporters.
-
Thursday 7 October 2021
How to make a footballer
Becoming a professional footballer is a powerful dream. How do clubs get better at helping young players to cope with the moment when the dream comes to an end?
-
Wednesday 6 October 2021
Rapid fire at Watford
Watford take an unusual approach to their managers: they sack them at the first sign of a poor run of results. Somehow the policy seems to work for the club.
-
Tuesday 5 October 2021
Standing: the supporters’ campaign
From January next year, leading clubs will be allowed to offer safe standing areas. But it’s something the Football Supporters Association has been calling on for decades. Why did it take so long?
-
Thursday 30 September 2021
Sorry seems to be the easiest word
Bruno Fernandes missed a penalty for Manchester United, and later issued a long apology on social media. Cue an almighty row. Should he apologise for his apology?
-
Wednesday 29 September 2021
When referees fight
In football – a sport worth billions – high refereeing standards are crucial. Could they be undermined if referees are consumed with rivalry and infighting, as a new book alleges.
-
Tuesday 28 September 2021
Norwich’s Achilles heel
Norwich are pointless this season and leaking goals. Sometimes it‘s a mystery why a team is doing badly, but not in Norwich’s case. They seem to have a problem in one particular position.
-
Monday 27 September 2021
Measuring the damage done by Football Index
Football Index was billed as a smart, innovative way to gamble on football. When it collapsed it caused not just heartache but financial ruin as well.
-
Thursday 23 September 2021
Iceland’s football dynasty
It wasn’t until 2016 that Iceland saw their side play in a major tournament for the first time. And one Icelandic family in particular have played a starring role. So how did the Gudjohnsen’s come to dominate the sport across the nation?
-
Wednesday 22 September 2021
Football’s Candy Crush king
When the founder of the popular game Candy Crush bought Derby County, heads turned. But a string of hiring and firing multiple managers, breaking transfer records, and overspending didn’t pay off.
-
Tuesday 21 September 2021
The ‘Emptyhad’ myth
Pep Guardiola has issued a plea to fans: please, come to matches. In doing so, he ignited a row – and revived a myth.
-
Monday 20 September 2021
Lonely Piqué
How is Gerard Piqué dealing with the crisis at Barcelona without his famous former team-mates?
-
Thursday 16 September 2021
Ronaldo v Messi
Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to the Premier League with Manchester United was bound to get the conversation about who, really, can claim the GOAT (greatest of all time) title.
-
Wednesday 15 September 2021
On his jack
Why is Jack Wilshere – once one of England’s brightest talents – still without a club?
-
Tuesday 14 September 2021
A football World Cup every two years – really?
Today’s Sensemaker is something a little different. In a special episode showcasing our sister podcast, the Playmaker, we look at Arsene Wenger, the former Arsenal manager, and how he’s leading the change to hold the World Cup every two years not four. Is this an innovation too far from one of football’s change-makers?
-
Monday 13 September 2021
Francesco Flachi – too close to the fans?
Francesco Flachi is a Sampdoria legend who was banned for 12 years for using cocaine. To the fans he’s “one of us” – but sometimes that’s the problem
-
Wednesday 8 September 2021
Karen Carney, warrior
Former player now TV pundit Karen Carney is a break-out star in women’s football’s breakthrough season. She’s had to fight all the way for success.
-
Tuesday 7 September 2021
The misunderstood midfield maestro
Some pundits don’t see the point in Chelsea’s Jorginho. He won’t care, he’s the top contender for this year’s Ballon d’Or
-
Monday 6 September 2021
Covid vs club vs country
It’s one of the oldest grudge matches in football: club versus country. And now the pandemic has made it worse.
-
Thursday 2 September 2021
Waiting for Kylian
Kylian Mbappe hasn’t renewed his contract with Paris Saint-Germain. Which means that next summer, one of the best footballers in the world could walk away for free. Will Real Madrid really let that happen?
-
Wednesday 1 September 2021
The rape allegations against Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United was greeted with huge fanfare. But it overlooks a dark chapter in his past.
-
Tuesday 31 August 2021
Ultra violence in Marseille
At a time when Lionel Messi has just moved to Paris Saint-Germain, Ligue Un should be enjoying some positive PR and a feel-good factor. But one club’s ‘Ultras’ has left a bitter taste at the start of the new season.
-
Thursday 26 August 2021
The set piece coach
When Aston Villa invested in a set piece coach, there was push back that it was one coach too many. But the team’s investment in Austin MacPhee is paying off – so what do other teams have to learn?
-
Wednesday 25 August 2021
Emma Hayes changes the game
Chelsea women’s manager Emma Hayes has changed the perception of what it means to be a woman in football in recent years. How has she done it?
-
Monday 23 August 2021
Inter trouble
Nicolo Barella, one of Italy’s most talented players, has just claimed two winners’ medals with club and country. But he’s returning to a side that’s looking precariously close to collapse.
-
Thursday 19 August 2021
Concussion on the pitch
When Raul Jimenez suffered from a serious head injury, doctors told him it was a miracle he even survived. But now, he’s back playing on the pitch again. So what’s changed since for concussion in football?
-
Wednesday 18 August 2021
A king’s ransom at King’s Lynn Town
You can buy a season ticket cheaper at Premier League side Burnley than at fifth tier King’s Lynn Town. So why has The Linnets’ chairman Stephen Cleeve set such high prices, and will the gamble pay off?
-
Tuesday 17 August 2021
Pochettino and the Galacticos
This summer Paris Saint Germain took stardom to a whole new level. With all those egos, and all that expectation, can coach Mauricio Pochettino deliver?
-
Monday 16 August 2021
Twitter’s match report
Bukayo Saka was one of three England players who received racist abuse on social media following their defeat in the Euro 2020 final. But what does Twitter’s new racism report tell us about the steps they’re taking to eradicate abuse on their platform?
-
Thursday 12 August 2021
Motherwell – the members’ club
When Motherwell supporter Alan Burrows set up a fan site for his beloved club 15 years ago, he never expected it to land him the role of the club’s CEO. And now, he’s transformed the club. How?
-
Wednesday 11 August 2021
Lukaku… the flop?
At just 28-years-old, Romelu Lukaku has racked up nearly £300 million in transfer fees. In fact, he’s broken transfer fee records. So why is he always on the bench?
-
Tuesday 10 August 2021
The 40-year-old footballer
Joaquín Sánchez Rodríguez was once hailed the “golden child” of Spanish football. But he never really lived up to his reputation. Then again, he’s lasted longer than most. So what really defines success in football?
-
Monday 9 August 2021
A whole new world for Sutton United?
Sutton United have made their football league debut for the first time in their 123-year history. But the promotion comes at a cost…