Bio: If you can’t make a living from playing the game, then make one writing about it. I did my best to tick the first of those boxes, but it was not to be. I have been working hard at the latter for the best part of two decades and joined the collection of international stars that make up team GOAL in 2016. I am now Senior Staff Writer, which means my days are spent covering everything that the sometimes weird and often wonderful world of football has to offer. I have always been a fan of mercurial talents and love an underdog story, which goes some way to explaining why - alongside my East Midlands roots - Nottingham Forest are (for better or worse) my team of choice.
My Football Story: From the local playing field with friends, all through school, representing teams at various levels and facing a number of future professionals, to endless hours spent at the City Ground, a university degree and professional employment that has taken me to iconic venues across the country, football has always been the thread that ties my past, present and future together. I wouldn’t have it any other way and consider myself fortunate that I have been able to pass my passion for the game down to my son, who now finds himself heading down a similar path.
Areas of Expertise:
Nottingham Forest Football Club - with there always a lot going on there
News sourcing and writing - identifying what real fans want to talk about
Interviews - don’t believe those that say you shouldn’t interact with your heroes
Analysis & insight - not just explaining what happened, but how and why
Favourite Footballing Memory: I was too young to have witnessed Nottingham Forest’s European glory years and not yet old enough to have seen them add a third star to that famous Garibaldi shirt, being at Wembley as a 23-year wait for Premier League football came to a close will always be a special experience. I don’t remember much about the game itself, given the nerve-shredding nature of play-off finals, but the celebrations afterwards made enough memories to last several lifetimes.
Mikel Arteta is a graduate of the Arsene Wenger and Pep Guardiola school of coaching, with ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Graham Stack explaining to GOAL the similarities that a title-winning tactician at Emirates Stadium shares with other Premier League champions. Arteta has become a managerial master in his own right, with important lessons being learned along the way.
Harry Kane is “loved” at Bayern Munich, but Dietmar Hamann has told GOAL what the England captain needs in order to join the likes of Oliver Kahn, Franz Beckenbauer, Robert Lewandowski and Franck Ribery on the club’s list of legends. The signing of a new contract at the Allianz Arena will aid that cause, with fresh terms expected to be thrashed out imminently.
Marcus Rashford is seemingly set to be absorbed back into the fold at Manchester United, with Lee Sharpe explaining to GOAL why the England international is worth a calculated transfer risk. A home-grown star at Old Trafford was considered to have “downed tools” before heading out on loan, but is talented enough that a new contract at the Theatre of Dreams cannot be entirely ruled out.
Bruno Guimaraes appears destined to leave Newcastle for Arsenal, with Chris Waddle explaining to GOAL why a switch to Emirates Stadium holds obvious appeal for the Brazil international. A £75 million ($101m) transfer is being mooted, with the South American midfielder set to line his pockets in north London while competing for more major honours.
Cody Gakpo is seeing a move away from Liverpool speculated on, with Michael Owen admitting to GOAL that a summer transfer to Tottenham “could happen”. The Reds are in danger of leaving themselves short on wide attacking options, but a Netherlands international that has been at Anfield since January 2023 is considered to have been “consistently poor”.
David Raya is the “most unfortunate goalkeeper in world football”, ex-Arsenal shot-stopper Graham Stack has told GOAL, but the Spain international is also considered to be the “best” that the Premier League has to offer. Raya savoured title glory with the Gunners last season, winning another Golden Glove, but remained rooted to the bench during a triumphant World Cup campaign at international level.
Wrexham are being backed to avoid any Wayne Rooney-esque mistakes in the managerial department, with former Red Dragons star Lee Trundle telling GOAL that Phil Parkinson “deserves another full season” at the helm. With Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac calling shots at the Racecourse, there has been talk of a big-name boss being sought.
Arsenal have been heavily linked with an ambitious raid on Real Madrid for Vinicius Junior, but ex-Blancos star Michael Owen has explained to GOAL why a “statement signing” at Emirates Stadium remains unlikely. The Premier League title holders have been exploring a deal that would bring a Brazil international to north London that likes to be the “main man”.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac have never been shy when it comes to spending at Wrexham, with Lee Trundle telling GOAL why more transfer business is to be expected. The Red Dragons continue to chase the Premier League promotion dream, with it possible that more records will be broken as players arrive in deals that are worth more than £10 million ($13m).
Cristian Romero may be heading for the exits at Tottenham, putting the captain’s armband up for grabs. Toby Alderweireld has told GOAL what Spurs “don’t need” from their next skipper, while explaining the qualities that a new on-field leader must possess - with the likes of Micky van de Ven, Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison in the running for that role.
Wrexham appear to be benefitting from a Las Vegas-free summer, but Lee Trundle has told GOAL that the Red Dragons will be back in the promotion hunt next season. Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac have avoided the funding of a fourth successive trip to Sin City, but collective sights in North Wales remain locked on the Premier League and another visit to Nevada.
Micky van de Ven was being linked with Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea when the summer transfer window of 2026 swung open, but the Dutch defender appears set to remain at Tottenham. Ex-Spurs star Toby Alderweireld has explained to GOAL why interest in the fleet-footed centre-half has faded following a couple of testing seasons in north London.
Michael Carrick has become the latest manager to take on the challenge of rekindling former glories at Manchester United, but can he achieve a first since Sir Alex Ferguson? The Red Devils have failed to capture the Premier League title after bidding farewell to the iconic Scot, and have also found stability in the dugout hard to come by. Mikael Silvestre has told GOAL that the next man up is capable of enjoying a rare form of longevity.
Christian Pulisic could be the perfect successor to Mohamed Salah at Liverpool, Jonathan Spector has told GOAL, with the USMNT star considered to be a “nightmare” for opposition defences. The United States international forward is currently on the books of Serie A giants AC Milan, but boasts Premier League experience from his four-year stint at Chelsea.
A Premier League transfer for Kylian Mbappe in future windows cannot be ruled out, Mikael Silvestre has admitted to GOAL, with the France international being advised to find the “best platform” on which major silverware can be chased down. Mbappe thought he had found that when becoming a ‘Galactico’ at Real Madrid, but the biggest of honours are proving difficult to secure.
Benjamin Sesko has been set a goal target for the 2026-27 campaign that should be “written in his contract” at Manchester United, with Dwight Yorke explaining to GOAL why the Slovenian striker can “fly” for the Red Devils. Michael Carrick needs his leading marksman to do just that if a return to Premier League title contention is to be enjoyed at Old Trafford.
Cristiano Ronaldo is being backed to make the move into Hollywood movies once his playing career comes to a close, with Mikael Silvestre telling GOAL that CR7 should have no problem cracking that industry “if Vinnie Jones can become an actor”. There is no indication that the Portuguese GOAT is ready to head for Los Angeles just yet, but a new challenge will be sought at some point in the not too distant future.
France are preparing to pass their managerial baton from Didier Deschamps to Zinedine Zidane, with Jeremie Aliadiere telling GOAL that Thierry Henry would “love” to follow that World Cup-winning trend and become the next boss of Les Bleus. The Arsenal legend has dipped his toe into coaching and would welcome the opportunity to take charge of his country.
Manchester United have been told that Antonee Robinson “fits the bill” when it comes to left-back reinforcements, with the USMNT star considered to be the ideal candidate to provide competition for Luke Shaw. Jonathan Spector has explained to GOAL why a raid on Premier League rivals Fulham should be considered by Michael Carrick and the Red Devils’ board.
Michael Olise is being heavily linked with a transfer from Bayern Munich to Real Madrid, potentially with a record-breaking fee changing hands, but Jeremie Aliadiere has told GOAL that the France international should spend “another year” in Germany before considering a change of scenery. The classy winger needs to learn how to handle the added weight of expectation that is being lumped onto his shoulders.
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