Peter Rutzler
@peterrutzler.bsky.social
London football reporter, The Times. Previously with The Athletic.
peter.rutzler@thetimes.co.uk
peter.rutzler@thetimes.co.uk
Levi Colwill on leadership, using Lego to help him through challenging moments and the importance of winning the Conference League: "If we win that, it will give us the confidence and belief to hopefully win more trophies for the club.”
www.thetimes.com/article/8bd8...
www.thetimes.com/article/8bd8...
Levi Colwill: How Lego helped me get through difficult time at Chelsea
England defender on hobby that helped to relax him last season, securing Champions League football and the importance of Conference League final
www.thetimes.com
May 27, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Levi Colwill on leadership, using Lego to help him through challenging moments and the importance of winning the Conference League: "If we win that, it will give us the confidence and belief to hopefully win more trophies for the club.”
www.thetimes.com/article/8bd8...
www.thetimes.com/article/8bd8...
Unai Emery returns to Paris, for a Champions League tie that means a little more than just passage to the next round.
On La Remontada, Neymar and a uniquely Parisian education:
www.thetimes.com/article/4bf2...
On La Remontada, Neymar and a uniquely Parisian education:
www.thetimes.com/article/4bf2...
Unai Emery, PSG and lessons from the worst night of his career
In 2017 the now Aston Villa head coach’s PSG went to Barcelona in command of a Champions League tie, only to blow it in a 6-1 loss to the man in the opposite dugout on Wednesday
www.thetimes.com
April 8, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Unai Emery returns to Paris, for a Champions League tie that means a little more than just passage to the next round.
On La Remontada, Neymar and a uniquely Parisian education:
www.thetimes.com/article/4bf2...
On La Remontada, Neymar and a uniquely Parisian education:
www.thetimes.com/article/4bf2...
Cole Palmer is staying with Chelsea for further assessment on muscle injury picked up in training last week. Told he's not officially withdrawn yet, slim chance he could link up with England depending on how the assessment goes, although felt to be unlikely. #cfc
March 18, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Cole Palmer is staying with Chelsea for further assessment on muscle injury picked up in training last week. Told he's not officially withdrawn yet, slim chance he could link up with England depending on how the assessment goes, although felt to be unlikely. #cfc
Arteta's post-match comments on Sunday, stating Chelsea are the best attacking team in the league, was a sharp reminder of what's been lost in recent weeks.
Are injuries just to blame for this slump, or is it about style? This int'l break may answer that:
www.thetimes.com/article/f957...
Are injuries just to blame for this slump, or is it about style? This int'l break may answer that:
www.thetimes.com/article/f957...
How Chelsea slumped from league’s best attacking team to most boring
Absences of key players have been keenly felt, especially in loss to Arsenal, but form of Nicolas Jackson, Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke declined before injuries
www.thetimes.com
March 18, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Arteta's post-match comments on Sunday, stating Chelsea are the best attacking team in the league, was a sharp reminder of what's been lost in recent weeks.
Are injuries just to blame for this slump, or is it about style? This int'l break may answer that:
www.thetimes.com/article/f957...
Are injuries just to blame for this slump, or is it about style? This int'l break may answer that:
www.thetimes.com/article/f957...
Sanchez remains just so impulsive across his game, pre-empting things, almost like he's in a permanent state of panic. I got the logic of taking him out, but seems already like it needed to be longer, and even just to properly assess Jorgensen and give him a proper run.
March 16, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Sanchez remains just so impulsive across his game, pre-empting things, almost like he's in a permanent state of panic. I got the logic of taking him out, but seems already like it needed to be longer, and even just to properly assess Jorgensen and give him a proper run.
Comedic start to this game defensively from Chelsea. Nine minutes for the first Sanchez error, and then a haphazard scramble to clear after Cucurella went down too easily -- and possibly handball? (Good block in the chaos from Fofana mind). #cfc
March 16, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Comedic start to this game defensively from Chelsea. Nine minutes for the first Sanchez error, and then a haphazard scramble to clear after Cucurella went down too easily -- and possibly handball? (Good block in the chaos from Fofana mind). #cfc
At the Emirates. No Cole Palmer for Chelsea, who picked up an injury in training yesterday. Maresca says he's hopeful he'll be back after the international break. Not clear what that means RE England. Martinelli, meanwhile, starts for Arsenal for first time since Feb 5.
March 16, 2025 at 1:01 PM
At the Emirates. No Cole Palmer for Chelsea, who picked up an injury in training yesterday. Maresca says he's hopeful he'll be back after the international break. Not clear what that means RE England. Martinelli, meanwhile, starts for Arsenal for first time since Feb 5.
Half an hour gone at Stamford Bridge, and no shot yet for Chelsea. Not a thrilling watch but Copenhagen playing with more purpose in these early stages. It is only a one-goal advantage...
March 13, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Half an hour gone at Stamford Bridge, and no shot yet for Chelsea. Not a thrilling watch but Copenhagen playing with more purpose in these early stages. It is only a one-goal advantage...
Stronger Chelsea lineup than the first leg. Sanchez seems to be first choice again, Jorgensen returns to Thursday night duty. Palmer/James on bench.
#cfc XI: Jorgensen; Acheampong, Chalobah, Tosin, Badiashile; Caicedo, Fernandez; George, Dewsbury-Hall, Sancho; Neto
#cfc XI: Jorgensen; Acheampong, Chalobah, Tosin, Badiashile; Caicedo, Fernandez; George, Dewsbury-Hall, Sancho; Neto
March 13, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Stronger Chelsea lineup than the first leg. Sanchez seems to be first choice again, Jorgensen returns to Thursday night duty. Palmer/James on bench.
#cfc XI: Jorgensen; Acheampong, Chalobah, Tosin, Badiashile; Caicedo, Fernandez; George, Dewsbury-Hall, Sancho; Neto
#cfc XI: Jorgensen; Acheampong, Chalobah, Tosin, Badiashile; Caicedo, Fernandez; George, Dewsbury-Hall, Sancho; Neto
Another Chelsea win dug out of a performance that was, again, pretty unconvincing. Winning more games 1-0 is a target for Maresca, and Leicester were more competitive here, but team still lacking their early-season spark. #cfc
March 9, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Another Chelsea win dug out of a performance that was, again, pretty unconvincing. Winning more games 1-0 is a target for Maresca, and Leicester were more competitive here, but team still lacking their early-season spark. #cfc
Enzo Maresca gestures to the home crowd by the dugout after Marc Cucurella opens the scoring. Was becoming a little tense. A lovely finish from Cucurella, helping dig his side out of a potential hole here. 1-0. #cfc
March 9, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Enzo Maresca gestures to the home crowd by the dugout after Marc Cucurella opens the scoring. Was becoming a little tense. A lovely finish from Cucurella, helping dig his side out of a potential hole here. 1-0. #cfc
Leicester's form has been so bleak. Longest run without a goal since 2017, losing 11 of their last 12, kept one clean sheet in 27 games. No bounce under van Nistelrooy, who has fewer points than Cooper despite coaching two more games. Sorry season, built on bad decisions.
March 9, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Leicester's form has been so bleak. Longest run without a goal since 2017, losing 11 of their last 12, kept one clean sheet in 27 games. No bounce under van Nistelrooy, who has fewer points than Cooper despite coaching two more games. Sorry season, built on bad decisions.
Interesting that Sanchez gets a recall. Maresca spoke of "resting" him but it's not the longest stint out the side and felt like Jorgensen had survived the murmurs post Villa. But potentially good way to pick up a clean sheet, Leicester have failed to score in their last four...
March 9, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Interesting that Sanchez gets a recall. Maresca spoke of "resting" him but it's not the longest stint out the side and felt like Jorgensen had survived the murmurs post Villa. But potentially good way to pick up a clean sheet, Leicester have failed to score in their last four...
Wesley Fofana starts for Chelsea against Leicester, first start since December 1.
Robert Sanchez also back in goal, Jorgensen dropped.
Also no Reece James this afternoon -- he's out with illness, reported a fever yesterday. Romeo Lavia is back in the squad. #cfc
Robert Sanchez also back in goal, Jorgensen dropped.
Also no Reece James this afternoon -- he's out with illness, reported a fever yesterday. Romeo Lavia is back in the squad. #cfc
March 9, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Wesley Fofana starts for Chelsea against Leicester, first start since December 1.
Robert Sanchez also back in goal, Jorgensen dropped.
Also no Reece James this afternoon -- he's out with illness, reported a fever yesterday. Romeo Lavia is back in the squad. #cfc
Robert Sanchez also back in goal, Jorgensen dropped.
Also no Reece James this afternoon -- he's out with illness, reported a fever yesterday. Romeo Lavia is back in the squad. #cfc
A mixed strength lineup from Maresca in Copenhagen. Cole Palmer's first start in the Conference League, Reece James starts in midfield, Badiashile's first start since 8 December, while 17yo Shim Mheuka makes his full debut up front. #cfc
March 6, 2025 at 4:41 PM
A mixed strength lineup from Maresca in Copenhagen. Cole Palmer's first start in the Conference League, Reece James starts in midfield, Badiashile's first start since 8 December, while 17yo Shim Mheuka makes his full debut up front. #cfc
Goalscoring used to be Ousmane Dembele's biggest weakness.
Not any more.
How a sit down with Luis Enrique last summer and a new position transformed Dembele into Europe's most prolific forward, and Liverpool's main concern. #PSGLIV
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
Not any more.
How a sit down with Luis Enrique last summer and a new position transformed Dembele into Europe's most prolific forward, and Liverpool's main concern. #PSGLIV
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
Ousmane Dembele: £97m Barcelona flop now Europe’s most prolific
Dembele was shy and injury-prone in Spain but at PSG Luis Enrique has played him in a central role to devastating effect — as Liverpool may find out on Wednesday
www.thetimes.com
March 3, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Goalscoring used to be Ousmane Dembele's biggest weakness.
Not any more.
How a sit down with Luis Enrique last summer and a new position transformed Dembele into Europe's most prolific forward, and Liverpool's main concern. #PSGLIV
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
Not any more.
How a sit down with Luis Enrique last summer and a new position transformed Dembele into Europe's most prolific forward, and Liverpool's main concern. #PSGLIV
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
Offside farce, penalties, and two sides to Cunha. So important for Wolves this season, shown by his sublime equaliser, but he cost his team with a shocking red card, which may have lasting damage for Wolves.
Bournemouth, meanwhile, were deserved winners:
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
Bournemouth, meanwhile, were deserved winners:
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
Cunha headbutt, offside farce and penalties: Bournemouth beat Wolves
Bournemouth 1 Wolves 1 (Bournemouth win 5-4 on penalties): Matheus Cunha sent off in game that also featured lengthy delay due to semi-automated offside failure
www.thetimes.com
March 1, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Offside farce, penalties, and two sides to Cunha. So important for Wolves this season, shown by his sublime equaliser, but he cost his team with a shocking red card, which may have lasting damage for Wolves.
Bournemouth, meanwhile, were deserved winners:
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
Bournemouth, meanwhile, were deserved winners:
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
Cunha struts around the field, with a supreme confidence, and that's because he can pull off moments of brilliance just like that. Stunning 25-yard equaliser for Wolves. 1-1.
March 1, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Cunha struts around the field, with a supreme confidence, and that's because he can pull off moments of brilliance just like that. Stunning 25-yard equaliser for Wolves. 1-1.
An utterly farcical use of VAR here, that has lasted more than eight minutes concludes with Bournemouth's second goal ruled out for offside. Handball also checked. It looked complex but a check cannot be this long.
"This is embarrassing" sing home and away fans
"This is embarrassing" sing home and away fans
March 1, 2025 at 3:59 PM
An utterly farcical use of VAR here, that has lasted more than eight minutes concludes with Bournemouth's second goal ruled out for offside. Handball also checked. It looked complex but a check cannot be this long.
"This is embarrassing" sing home and away fans
"This is embarrassing" sing home and away fans
At the Vitality for #afcb vs Wolves. Evanilson makes his first start since picking up a foot injury in January. One of three changes, with Kluivert and Ouattara on the bench. Wolves make four changes, but both teams have gone pretty strong and will fancy a cup run:
March 1, 2025 at 2:10 PM
At the Vitality for #afcb vs Wolves. Evanilson makes his first start since picking up a foot injury in January. One of three changes, with Kluivert and Ouattara on the bench. Wolves make four changes, but both teams have gone pretty strong and will fancy a cup run:
Four goals, none for Palmer, is unusual and this was a game where his struggles felt evident. But he’s due a night where others shoulder the burden and that they did, against hopeless Southampton. #CFC eased back into the top four.
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
February 25, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Four goals, none for Palmer, is unusual and this was a game where his struggles felt evident. But he’s due a night where others shoulder the burden and that they did, against hopeless Southampton. #CFC eased back into the top four.
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
Colwill makes it 3-0. Southampton's set-piece defending has been abysmal.
February 25, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Colwill makes it 3-0. Southampton's set-piece defending has been abysmal.
An important goal. Some shock after Palmer misses a one on one, a change he doesn't usually miss, but Nkunku heads in from the ensuing corner. 1-0.
February 25, 2025 at 8:43 PM
An important goal. Some shock after Palmer misses a one on one, a change he doesn't usually miss, but Nkunku heads in from the ensuing corner. 1-0.
Southampton have probably made the better start here, and it's become a little edgy at Stamford Bridge. Onuachu with the first good opening, blazing over. Howls at Jorgensen as he tried to bait a press. Uneasy.
February 25, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Southampton have probably made the better start here, and it's become a little edgy at Stamford Bridge. Onuachu with the first good opening, blazing over. Howls at Jorgensen as he tried to bait a press. Uneasy.
Villa's January signings combine to make the difference, double-edged sucker-punch there for Chelsea, who had otherwise put in an improved showing. But they make errors, too many of them (not just the keeper). Winless run on the road goes on. #cfc
February 22, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Villa's January signings combine to make the difference, double-edged sucker-punch there for Chelsea, who had otherwise put in an improved showing. But they make errors, too many of them (not just the keeper). Winless run on the road goes on. #cfc