Jonathan Liew

Jonathan Liew
Sports What could Enzo Maresca achieve at Chelsea with a fit Christopher Nkunku and Cole Palmer at his disposal? Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters

Chelsea’s Temporary Vision Has Led to Shopping in the Championship Aisle

Perhaps it should be no surprise the club has started signing managers like they sign players. Enzo Maresca knows his fate. Seriously, Behdad: it’s going fine…

Jonathan Liew
Sports Erik ten Hag has overseen Manchester United’s worst defensive record since the 1970s. Photograph: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

When Will the Manchester United Cycle Stop?

Erik ten Hag arrived at Manchester United promising to inspire flowing, thrilling transition football. And, you have to say, mission accomplished. You only had…

Jonathan Liew
Sports Todd Boehly sanctioned the £75m purchase of Wesley Fofana (left) from Leicester. Photograph: Matthew Childs/Action Images/Reuters

Todd Boehly’s Arrival Marks the End of Premier League’s Era of Quiet Americans

Bob Dylan once had a piece of advice for aspiring artists: write 10 songs a day, and then discard nine. In a way this also appears to be Todd Boehly’s approach…

Jonathan Liew (London)
Sports Jan Vertonghen Case Shows Concussion Is All Part of the Sporting Capitalism System

Jan Vertonghen Case Shows Concussion Is All Part of the Sporting Capitalism System

It was around the end of last year that people began to notice Jan Vertonghen was looking decidedly off the pace at Tottenham. He was slow off the mark, slow…

Jonathan Liew (London)
Sports Sam Allardyce Is Back in the Top Flight but Will Old Truths Still Apply?

Sam Allardyce Is Back in the Top Flight but Will Old Truths Still Apply?

There’s a knock on the sunbed. The lid swings ominously open, filling the room with an eerie blue ultraviolet glow. A 66-year-old man of medium to heavy build…

Jonathan Liew (London)
Sports Solskjær Haunted by Pochettino's Ghost Amid Old Trafford High-Wire Act

Solskjær Haunted by Pochettino's Ghost Amid Old Trafford High-Wire Act

For Ole Gunnar Solskjær, the cycle is wearyingly familiar. The Manchester United manager can win and sometimes win well and it is usually down to Bruno…

David Hytner (London) Jonathan Liew (London)
Sports Danny Welbeck: It’s Not Great to Dwell on the Past. You’ve Got to Look Forward

Danny Welbeck: It’s Not Great to Dwell on the Past. You’ve Got to Look Forward

“The new normal,” Danny Welbeck smiles as Brighton’s production manager makes some final adjustments to the Zoom video screen. Interviewing footballers…

Jonathan Liew (London)
Sports Phil Foden's Freedom to Flick Relies on Southgate's England Staying Organized

Phil Foden's Freedom to Flick Relies on Southgate's England Staying Organized

The best moment of England’s marathon international week came right at its very end. In the 90th minute against Iceland, with England 4-0 ahead, Harry Maguire…

Jonathan Liew (London)