Simon Johnson

Been fortunate to report on football since 2000 and now work for @TheAthleticFC covering #CFC in the Premier League. Views my own etc

[Simon Johnson @SJohnsonSport]

What is going on with Enzo Fernandez, #CFC and #MCFC? Some key questions answered by @SamLee and me in this explainer. (Free to read): https://t.co/VzRzP5U2qj

[Simon Johnson @SJohnsonSport]

Story from @David_Ornstein tonight: https://t.co/HQulrtfRm5

[Simon Johnson @SJohnsonSport]

From the DealSheet re. #CFC & Fernandez: “They set a price for him, in May, of no less than £120m, but it is now closer to the start of the season. That valuation would not apply after a certain point. They would not want to unsettle Alonso’s squad once the action has begun.”

[Simon Johnson @SJohnsonSport]

https://t.co/gJJfQ70Nam

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

Arsenal maintain they have not actively offered Myles Lewis-Skelly out for transfer. He is not someone the club set out to sell this summer. There are certainly others who meet that description.

The arrival of an established star like Bruno Guimaraes does not daunt Lewis-Skelly. Already in his young career, he’s demonstrated the willingness — and capability — to fight for his place against more seasoned professionals.

Lewis-Skelly signed a long-term contract in the summer of 2025. At 19, he recognises he is still developing, and believes a highly competitive environment like Arsenal is ideal to hone his talents.

📝 @gunnerblog, @sjohnsonsport, @lauriewhitwell

https://t.co/7AJV9Rk9rU

[Simon Johnson @SJohnsonSport]

Recognised the voice asking about the amount of untouchables in the #CFC squad in episode 3 😭

[Simon Johnson @SJohnsonSport]

Just binged Mourinho on Netflix. Only complaint….it was not long enough.

[Simon Johnson @SJohnsonSport]

August 27th confirmed as the date the fixture will be played. 7.30pm kick-off UK time.

[Simon Johnson @SJohnsonSport]

#CFC will play Luton Town at home in the second round of the #EFLCup - w/c August 24. (They play Fulham away in the PL on the 24th so suspect the tie will be played on the Thursday night - the 27th).

[Simon Johnson @SJohnsonSport]

As @mrandrewmoon reported, Ryan Kavuma-McQueen is completing final stages of loan move (had medical etc) to Portsmouth from #CFC. At the club’s training ground and announcement should come soon.

[Simon Johnson @SJohnsonSport]

More #CFC in the DealSheet this week, including what’s going on with Enzo Fernandez. He turned up to Cobham two days earlier than expected & while the club value him at £120m, time is running out for anyone to sign him. Expectation is he stays. More here: https://t.co/gJJfQ70Nam

[Simon Johnson @SJohnsonSport]

Filip Jorgensen has completed a loan move from #CFC to Strasbourg. He will hope it will do for him what it did for Djordje Petrovic. More here: https://t.co/ghXn1NpPTy

[Simon Johnson @SJohnsonSport]

There were just four balls left when Chelsea came out…and Tottenham were still in the mix. Very close to a very big second round tie.

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

Club sources talked of Xabi Alonso and his staff being the ones to set the standards from the get-go during the trip. The idea being that everyone could see how hard the coaches were working, so would follow suit.

For example, training or a match would finish, and Alonso would be seen on the team bus immediately afterwards, already studying clips from it on his laptop and/or preparing the next session.

His attention to detail and focus were clear. When speaking to individuals, eye-contact was kept throughout, sending the message that he was not just talking to them for the sake of it and would rather be elsewhere.

Players were wowed by the 44-year-old former Liverpool, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Spain midfielder’s ability on the ball when he joined in sessions. Sources around the squad spoke about how he led training like he “was directing traffic”.

@SJohnsonSport goes inside Chelsea’s summer tour ⤵️

https://t.co/hxiSpCCb35

[Simon Johnson @SJohnsonSport]

A second talented US teenager is on the way to #CFC. After putting a deal in place for Benji Flowers last month, club now have one lined up for LA Galaxy’s Vicente Garcia for when he turns 18 too. More here with @JordanC1107 & @tombogert: https://t.co/wmjqTnn3OB

[Straight Outta Cobham @SOCobhamPod]

𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗦𝗢𝗖! 🚨

✈️ Pre-season tour takeaways
🦄 Palestra impresses
🧤 Sanchez over Penders?
🖊️ Pep Chavarria's appeal
😢 So long, Trev

@MattDaviesAdams, @SJohnsonSport & @liam_twomey on duty with all the latest Blues news 🗞️🔵 #CFC

https://t.co/FzhC021g8s

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

The inside story of Chelsea's summer tour:

🔵 How Xabi Alonso managed squad
🚎 Post-match analysis on team bus
🗣️ Daily talks to sporting directors
🤯 Players wowed by Alonso skill
✈️ Ways they combatted jet lag
⛳️ Alonso played golf with senior personnel

📝 @SJohnsonSport

https://t.co/hxiSpCCb35

[Simon Johnson @SJohnsonSport]

Am told Morgan Rogers is due to report for pre-season training with #CFC on Wednesday. Been given a good break after World Cup duty with England.

[Simon Johnson @SJohnsonSport]

Big inside read on #CFC’s pre-season tour. Lots of detail on how Xabi Alonso set the standards, Palmer & Mudryk in great spirits, rotating sporting directors, Jason Gannon meetings & how some players felt there was an A/B team. More here (free to read): https://t.co/a0XD9bPXkI

[Simon Johnson @SJohnsonSport]

What a great message from Chalobah to end his time at #CFC on.

[Trevoh Chalobah @TrevohChalobah]

An 8-year-old boy walked through those doors. A man walks out. Dream lived. Purpose fulfilled. To every academy player at Chelsea: keep believing. Your time will come. Never give up. 💙