Chris Weatherspoon
@cweatherspoon.bsky.social
Football Finance Writer at The Athletic UK | Will write about money for football | Views are not someone else's
📧 cweatherspoon@theathletic.com
📧 cweatherspoon@theathletic.com
Pinned
Some news I should probably share with you...
Delighted and not a little humbled to tell you I've joined @theathleticfc.bsky.social as their first designated Football Finance Writer
I'll be covering all things money in football, I think it's gonna be busy and I'm very excited to get going
Delighted and not a little humbled to tell you I've joined @theathleticfc.bsky.social as their first designated Football Finance Writer
I'll be covering all things money in football, I think it's gonna be busy and I'm very excited to get going
Watch Spurs every time there's a second ball to contest and tell me they don't look like a relegation team
February 10, 2026 at 8:33 PM
Watch Spurs every time there's a second ball to contest and tell me they don't look like a relegation team
Reposted by Chris Weatherspoon
High blocks, low blocks, everywhere you look...blocks.
Using data from SkillCorner, I break down how each side likes to set up out of possession, and what it means for their playing style.
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
Piece here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
Using data from SkillCorner, I break down how each side likes to set up out of possession, and what it means for their playing style.
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
Piece here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
February 10, 2026 at 8:08 AM
High blocks, low blocks, everywhere you look...blocks.
Using data from SkillCorner, I break down how each side likes to set up out of possession, and what it means for their playing style.
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
Piece here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
Using data from SkillCorner, I break down how each side likes to set up out of possession, and what it means for their playing style.
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
Piece here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
Reposted by Chris Weatherspoon
Everyone talks about the size of a club's transfer expenditure - but how often do we compare what it was spent on?
For @theathleticfc.bsky.social, I've had a look at 2025-26 Premier League teams' spending by age, and what it tells us about those teams:
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗: www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
For @theathleticfc.bsky.social, I've had a look at 2025-26 Premier League teams' spending by age, and what it tells us about those teams:
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗: www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
February 9, 2026 at 8:47 AM
Everyone talks about the size of a club's transfer expenditure - but how often do we compare what it was spent on?
For @theathleticfc.bsky.social, I've had a look at 2025-26 Premier League teams' spending by age, and what it tells us about those teams:
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗: www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
For @theathleticfc.bsky.social, I've had a look at 2025-26 Premier League teams' spending by age, and what it tells us about those teams:
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗: www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Thanks Philippe - much appreciated. Hope you're well
February 9, 2026 at 3:55 PM
Thanks Philippe - much appreciated. Hope you're well
Yeah, absolutely. Quite interesting that Arsenal and Leeds were the two most heavily reliant on signing experience this season, even as both have a completely different objective
February 9, 2026 at 9:29 AM
Yeah, absolutely. Quite interesting that Arsenal and Leeds were the two most heavily reliant on signing experience this season, even as both have a completely different objective
Yes, didn't mention the height bit in the piece but found the very narrow parameters employed quite funny
And think it will work!
And think it will work!
February 9, 2026 at 9:17 AM
Yes, didn't mention the height bit in the piece but found the very narrow parameters employed quite funny
And think it will work!
And think it will work!
Everyone talks about the size of a club's transfer expenditure - but how often do we compare what it was spent on?
For @theathleticfc.bsky.social, I've had a look at 2025-26 Premier League teams' spending by age, and what it tells us about those teams:
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗: www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
For @theathleticfc.bsky.social, I've had a look at 2025-26 Premier League teams' spending by age, and what it tells us about those teams:
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗: www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
February 9, 2026 at 8:47 AM
Everyone talks about the size of a club's transfer expenditure - but how often do we compare what it was spent on?
For @theathleticfc.bsky.social, I've had a look at 2025-26 Premier League teams' spending by age, and what it tells us about those teams:
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗: www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
For @theathleticfc.bsky.social, I've had a look at 2025-26 Premier League teams' spending by age, and what it tells us about those teams:
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗: www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Fantastic piece for #SAFC fans this morning from Ahmed, explaining a key tactical reason behind Sunderland's success this season
How Sunderland's wide combinations have played a key role upon their return to the Premier League.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
How shape-shifting Sunderland are using wide combinations to chase a top-half finish (Gift Article)
The tactical flexibility of Regis Le Bris' squad is the primary reason they have readapted to Premier League life so successfully
www.nytimes.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:02 AM
Fantastic piece for #SAFC fans this morning from Ahmed, explaining a key tactical reason behind Sunderland's success this season
And a certain asset sale last June!
February 6, 2026 at 9:00 AM
And a certain asset sale last June!
Kind of, Villa aided by big Grealish sale in 2021-22. Leicester made £57m more than them from player profits in 22-23 and 23-24.
Villa actually lost more before tax in period Leicester have been done for, but had bigger deductibles (e.g. academy) and benefited from higher loss limit (£105m v £83m)
Villa actually lost more before tax in period Leicester have been done for, but had bigger deductibles (e.g. academy) and benefited from higher loss limit (£105m v £83m)
February 6, 2026 at 8:44 AM
Kind of, Villa aided by big Grealish sale in 2021-22. Leicester made £57m more than them from player profits in 22-23 and 23-24.
Villa actually lost more before tax in period Leicester have been done for, but had bigger deductibles (e.g. academy) and benefited from higher loss limit (£105m v £83m)
Villa actually lost more before tax in period Leicester have been done for, but had bigger deductibles (e.g. academy) and benefited from higher loss limit (£105m v £83m)
Reposted by Chris Weatherspoon
Leicester City breached their PSR loss limit by 25% in the three seasons ending in their 2023-24 promotion year.
They've been docked six points and sit outside the Championship bottom three on goal difference.
Analysis w/ @robtannerathletic.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
They've been docked six points and sit outside the Championship bottom three on goal difference.
Analysis w/ @robtannerathletic.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Leicester get six-point deduction for breaching PSR – but financial woe is set to continue
The sanction was handed down by an independent commission and relates to the three-year period ending with the 2023-24 season.
www.nytimes.com
February 5, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Leicester City breached their PSR loss limit by 25% in the three seasons ending in their 2023-24 promotion year.
They've been docked six points and sit outside the Championship bottom three on goal difference.
Analysis w/ @robtannerathletic.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
They've been docked six points and sit outside the Championship bottom three on goal difference.
Analysis w/ @robtannerathletic.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Reposted by Chris Weatherspoon
Included in that piece on @theathleticfc.bsky.social is this which, quite succinctly, helps explain how #LCFC have ended up in this mess:
February 5, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Included in that piece on @theathleticfc.bsky.social is this which, quite succinctly, helps explain how #LCFC have ended up in this mess:
Yeah I need to remind myself of arguments in that one. Forest case highlighted how once PL clubs turned to frequent loss makers, rules really made it hard for clubs to come up and compete - especially those w/years of losses in Div 2
But they still knew those rules when they breached, of course
But they still knew those rules when they breached, of course
February 5, 2026 at 9:21 PM
Yeah I need to remind myself of arguments in that one. Forest case highlighted how once PL clubs turned to frequent loss makers, rules really made it hard for clubs to come up and compete - especially those w/years of losses in Div 2
But they still knew those rules when they breached, of course
But they still knew those rules when they breached, of course
This was less than a decade ago. The decline is terrifying and does not reflect well on either the club or the guard rails (??) of football
February 5, 2026 at 9:17 PM
This was less than a decade ago. The decline is terrifying and does not reflect well on either the club or the guard rails (??) of football
Leicester City won the Premier League with the 15th-highest wage bill in England.
Got to the last eight of the Champions League with the 18th-highest wage bill in Europe.
Then went down with the highest wage bill of a relegated team in history.
How's that for bucking a trend
Got to the last eight of the Champions League with the 18th-highest wage bill in Europe.
Then went down with the highest wage bill of a relegated team in history.
How's that for bucking a trend
February 5, 2026 at 9:17 PM
Leicester City won the Premier League with the 15th-highest wage bill in England.
Got to the last eight of the Champions League with the 18th-highest wage bill in Europe.
Then went down with the highest wage bill of a relegated team in history.
How's that for bucking a trend
Got to the last eight of the Champions League with the 18th-highest wage bill in Europe.
Then went down with the highest wage bill of a relegated team in history.
How's that for bucking a trend
I need to read through the judgment (and remind myself of the facts of those cases) before making a firm view but my initial feeling was six points is lenient. Not on a legal basis (I'm far from a lawyer) but given the shenanigans around it all
February 5, 2026 at 9:16 PM
I need to read through the judgment (and remind myself of the facts of those cases) before making a firm view but my initial feeling was six points is lenient. Not on a legal basis (I'm far from a lawyer) but given the shenanigans around it all
Included in that piece on @theathleticfc.bsky.social is this which, quite succinctly, helps explain how #LCFC have ended up in this mess:
February 5, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Included in that piece on @theathleticfc.bsky.social is this which, quite succinctly, helps explain how #LCFC have ended up in this mess:
Leicester City breached their PSR loss limit by 25% in the three seasons ending in their 2023-24 promotion year.
They've been docked six points and sit outside the Championship bottom three on goal difference.
Analysis w/ @robtannerathletic.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
They've been docked six points and sit outside the Championship bottom three on goal difference.
Analysis w/ @robtannerathletic.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Leicester get six-point deduction for breaching PSR – but financial woe is set to continue
The sanction was handed down by an independent commission and relates to the three-year period ending with the 2023-24 season.
www.nytimes.com
February 5, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Leicester City breached their PSR loss limit by 25% in the three seasons ending in their 2023-24 promotion year.
They've been docked six points and sit outside the Championship bottom three on goal difference.
Analysis w/ @robtannerathletic.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
They've been docked six points and sit outside the Championship bottom three on goal difference.
Analysis w/ @robtannerathletic.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Reposted by Chris Weatherspoon
A staggering statement from former Washington Post editor Marty Baron: "This ranks among the darkest days in the history of one of the world's greatest news organizations."
February 4, 2026 at 2:34 PM
A staggering statement from former Washington Post editor Marty Baron: "This ranks among the darkest days in the history of one of the world's greatest news organizations."
Jeremy Jacquet won't officially move to Merseyside until this summer, but confirmation he'll join on 1 July means Liverpool have agreed transfer fees worth over £50million for four different players inside a year.
How can they afford it?
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
How can they afford it?
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
How can Liverpool afford £55m on Jeremy Jacquet after £400m summer spend?
Wages are up but Arne Slot's side generated record revenues last season — they might even make a profit from an accounting point of view
www.nytimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 11:07 AM
Jeremy Jacquet won't officially move to Merseyside until this summer, but confirmation he'll join on 1 July means Liverpool have agreed transfer fees worth over £50million for four different players inside a year.
How can they afford it?
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
How can they afford it?
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
Reposted by Chris Weatherspoon
Since Burnley's December 2020 leveraged takeover they've gone from solid if unremarkable PL club with no borrowings to a (bad) yo-yo side, £113m in debt, costing £10m+ annually at rates from 8.5% to 12.75%
Over four years on, owners ALK Capital have still not filed any UK parent company accounts
Over four years on, owners ALK Capital have still not filed any UK parent company accounts
February 3, 2026 at 11:37 AM
Since Burnley's December 2020 leveraged takeover they've gone from solid if unremarkable PL club with no borrowings to a (bad) yo-yo side, £113m in debt, costing £10m+ annually at rates from 8.5% to 12.75%
Over four years on, owners ALK Capital have still not filed any UK parent company accounts
Over four years on, owners ALK Capital have still not filed any UK parent company accounts
Would be yes, but, while it's all confirmed and will happen, Jacquet recorded as a summer buy
February 3, 2026 at 9:25 PM
Would be yes, but, while it's all confirmed and will happen, Jacquet recorded as a summer buy