David Jordan

NEW @TheAthleticFC White House wants FIFA to follow lead of IOC by issuing policy to bar transgender women from professional women’s soccer — with Trump yet to sign off on required government guarantees for US-led bid to host Women’s World Cup in 2031. nytimes.com/athletic/71722…

“They were the worst minutes of my life.” Having just turned 18, Jamie Mitchell looked like becoming a Premier League star with Norwich City. But in the lead up to Christmas 1994 he was subjected to a ritual humiliation in the dressing room that left him psychologically scarred — and his career derailed. Mitchell opens up about his traumatic experiences to @JordanC1107, and explains why he has founded an organisation to support young players navigate their own challenges. 🔗 nytimes.com/athletic/70861…

This one’s for the goalkeeping nerds. Watched hundreds of clips on Wyscout to analyse how every Premier League No.1 defends corners. Styles, trends, strengths, weaknesses — it’s all in there. Probably the most detailed piece I’ve done for @TheAthleticFC nytimes.com/athletic/71609…

Ibrahima Konate, what we’re hearing about his future: ▪️ No breakthrough in contract talks with Liverpool ▪️ Dressing room sources believe he will stay ▪️ Player wants a big increase on £150k-a-week deal ▪️ Lack of options after Real Madrid ended interest 📝 @greggevans40 and @JamesPearceLFC 🔗 nytimes.com/athletic/71638…

⚫ Worth £6m a year 💸 ⚪ 3-year deal - bridging to new training ground?⏳ ⚫ KNOX = non-PIF firm ✅ ⚪ 1st of deals Hopkinson promised 💷 ⚫ 'World leading?' 🤔 🤑👀 REVEALED: All the undisclosed details as #NUFC strike 1st-ever training-ground sponsor: nytimes.com/athletic/70327…

Excl. Marc Cucurella interview ▪️The impact of the PSG defeats ▪️Lack of experience at Chelsea’s squad ▪️Maresca’s departure: “If you asked me, I wouldn’t have done that” ▪️Rosenior settling well, but no time no train w/ @GuillermoRai_ @TheAthleticFC nytimes.com/athletic/71575…

Newcastle United sold St James' Park to themselves. 🔲 Arrangement led to first profit since Saudi-led takeover 🔲 Joined Big Six in topping £100m of annual commercial revenue 🔲 Operating loss hit a club record £109.4m Newcastle's 2024-25 filings show that ownership of the stadium and adjacent land now belongs to another PIF-owned company. @CWeatherspoon_ and @ChrisDHWaugh analyse what it all means. nytimes.com/athletic/71576…

Of the six managers Marc Cucurella has worked under at Chelsea, he says Enzo Maresca was the "most important" — and doesn't think the club should have parted ways with the Italian in January. “The instability around the club comes from this, in a nutshell.” Read @polballus and @GuillermoRai_'s exclusive interview with Cucurella for free here ⬇️ 🔗 nyti.ms/4dR1ER0

Chelsea’s recent form has been difficult for Marc Cucurella to process. Getting outclassed by PSG really stung. In the Spain international's eyes, the 8-2 aggregate defeat highlighted the shortcomings in the Chelsea project under BlueCo, who have invested heavily in young talent since taking over the club in May 2022. “For a lot of players, it was the first time playing a match of that calibre, and we paid the price." Read @polballus and @GuillermoRai_'s exclusive interview with Cucurella for free here ⬇️ 🔗 nyti.ms/4dR1ER0

■ On the title race: "We cannot be scared. We cannot lose something we don’t have" ■ On Pep and Arteta: "They share something in their DNA." ■ "I want to win everything, but if I have to choose, it's the Champions League" The Arsenal and Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus speaks exclusively to The Athletic. 📝 @jacklang and @MarioCortegana 🔗 nytimes.com/athletic/71285…

■ $425m of Glazer debt due for refinancing ■ Impact of rising rates on £30m annual interest costs ■ £192million of net transfer debt due for payment this year ■ Club sold £39.4m of incoming transfer fees to lender for cash ■ Borrowing facility now upsized to £400m One year on from announcing plans to build a new Old Trafford, Manchester United's debt is greater than ever, topping £1bn. The BookKeeper, @CWeatherspoon_, breaks down what they owe, when it's due and what it means for a project likely to cost more than £2bn. 🔗 nytimes.com/athletic/71039…

Probably the best individual performance I’ve seen all season; Michael Olise. His detail-oriented Kevin De Bruyne-esque mentality. Kompany’s words, not mine nytimes.com/athletic/71057…

Over the last 48 hours, six members of Iran’s women’s national football team defected in Australia. ■ An undercover security officer was suspected to be stationed with the team ■ Their families were threatened ■ Their phones were tapped ■ Their passports and money taken ■ Australian police helped them escape to safe house 📝 @jwhitey98 🔗 nytimes.com/athletic/71052…

“Jimmy Savile, he’s one of your own…” Songs referencing Britain’s most notorious paedophile and rapist have been a soundtrack to Leeds United matches for years. They are usually started by opposition fans, before home supporters reply in kind, but little has been done to stop them. Now, the club, campaigners and many Leeds fans have had enough. 🔗 @Simon_Hughes__ nytimes.com/athletic/71039…

🔴 Wages compared to rivals 🔴 Why soaring operating costs? 🔴 Kroenkes’ transfer spending 🔴 Effect of Emirates income 🔴 How Champions League wins proved crucial @CWeatherspoon_ analyses Arsenal’s latest finances. 🔗 nytimes.com/athletic/70812…

Ahead of Sunday's Derby della Madonnina, I checked in with @fikayotomori_ to talk about his five years in Milan, racking up more appearances than Ancelotti, van Basten and Rijkaard, what "intensity" means in Italy, and his World Cup dream nytimes.com/athletic/70860…

Who are you most excited to see at this summer's World Cup? With 100 days to go, we asked 100 members of staff at The Athletic to answer that question. They were encouraged to not all pick Lionel Messi (three still did), and quite surprisingly there were also two votes for Endrick. We've got reps from World Cup debutants Cape Verde, Curacao and Uzbekistan, as well as ageing superstars plotting their Last Dance and rising stars wanting to make their mark... 🔗 nytimes.com/athletic/70810…

🚨 Arsenal set-piece coach Nico Jover’s contract contains a “set-piece goal bonus” clause. Smart piece of negotiating - and after a record-equalling 16th goal from a corner, #AFC will be paying out gladly. Exclusive for @TheAthleticFC ⬇️ nytimes.com/athletic/70804…

What is it like covering Eileen Gu for 2 weeks at the #WinterOlympics? I tried to put it into words. @TheAthletic Gift article = free to read nytimes.com/athletic/70638…

Thierry Henry looked shaken. Micah Richards veered between resignation and anger. Kate Scott was the epitome of calm authority. CBS’ coverage of the racism storm around Vinicius Junior was forensic, empathetic and exhaustive - and another example of the U.S. broadcaster owning a big Champions League moment. ✍️ @AdamCrafton_ 🔗 nytimes.com/athletic/70558…