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.
Son Heung-min represents “money very well spent” for MLS and LAFC, Shaka Hislop has told GOAL, with the former Tottenham star helping to open up new markets for North American soccer. The South Korea international moved to the United States in August 2025 and has made a positive go of making it big in Hollywood while operating under the brightest of spotlights.
Alisson, Gianluigi Donnrumma and David Raya generate plenty of goalkeeping headlines in the Premier League, but who are more unsung heroes in that department? Ex-Newcastle and West Ham star Shaka Hislop has picked out one “absolute gem” for GOAL, with a new arrival in English football - that starred at the 2026 World Cup - expected to make quite the impact.
There is “only” one move that Trent Alexander-Arnold would consider if he fancied heading back to the Premier League, ex-Liverpool full-back Stephen Warnock has told GOAL, with the Real Madrid defender seeing an Italian job in Serie A speculated on. The buccaneering England international is into his second season at Santiago Bernabeu, having bid farewell to Anfield in 2025.
Ayyoub Bouaddi can “reach world-class Rodri level easily”, former Manchester City defender Bacary Sagna has told GOAL, with the teenage wonderkid expected to become a global superstar on the back of his £86 million ($116m) transfer to the Etihad Stadium. At just 18 years of age, the Morocco international is already being likened to World Cup-winning Barcelona legend Sergio Busquets.
There are a number of iconic left wingers plying their trade at the very highest level, but who is the best of the bunch? With Luis Diaz in the frame, former Bayern Munich star Dietmar Hamann has answered that question during an exclusive interview with GOAL. He sees Paris Saint-Germain enigma Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior forming part of that conversation.
Aston Villa’s forced refresh during the summer transfer window of 2026 may prove to be a “blessing in disguise”, Stephen Warnock has told GOAL, with Liverpool considered to have been trumped in one notable department. Unai Emery has had to rebuild much of his Europa League-winning side, but plenty of pedigree and potential has been added to the collective ranks.
Amid the speculation suggesting that Neymar could reform Barcelona’s fabled ‘MSN’ strike partnership with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, Gus Poyet has told GOAL “there is a rule for MLS and one for Inter Miami”. The former Uruguay international is among those keen to see if a legendary fellow countryman will be joined in the United States next season by a Brazilian icon.
Bayern Munich will not be afraid of mounting interest in Michael Olise, Bacary Sagna has told GOAL, as the Bundesliga giants “don’t shake when they see money”. The talented France international is said to have attracted admiring glances from Real Madrid, among others, but those at the Allianz Arena have no intention of sanctioning a big-money sale.
Emi Martinez is still in the process of finding his feet at Chelsea, but Robert Huth has told GOAL why the World Cup-winning goalkeeper’s “win at all costs” mentality will ultimately serve the Blues well. The Argentina international has been taken to Stamford Bridge as an upgrade on Robert Sanchez, as he boasts the kind of “character” that his shot-stopping predecessor lacked.
Cristiano Ronaldo transitioning into the Hollywood movie industry cannot be ruled out, Shaka Hislop has told GOAL, even if the Portuguese GOAT finds himself operating as “Vinnie Jones’ sidekick”. At 41 years of age, the Al-Nassr superstar is heading towards retirement and speculation is rife regarding what he will do next - with it possible that the big screen awaits.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was snubbed by Thomas Tuchel for 2026 World Cup duty, so will the Real Madrid right-back figure for England again during the German tactician’s tenure? Ex-Three Lions defender Stephen Warnock has attempted to answer that question for GOAL, with his fellow Merseyside native being advised to brace himself for more bad news.
Enzo Maresca will, as successor to Pep Guardiola, be under immediate pressure to deliver trophies in 2026-27, Dietmar Hamann has told GOAL. The Italian tactician has made a bright start to his reign at the Etihad Stadium, but a man that once played Premier League football in that venue is not convinced that the 46-year-old will be a “successful Manchester City manager”.
From footwear to fragrances via podcasts and power drinks, every corner of the ever-growing global commercial market has been explored by modern day sports stars
Lionel Messi has retired from international football with Argentina, but will he head in a similar direction at club level? The South American GOAT is tied to a contract at Inter Miami through 2028 and former MLS star Shaka Hislop has told GOAL why the evergreen 39-year-old is likely to honour that agreement before taking on a future ambassadorial role.
Alexis Sanchez will need to “adapt to the cold” in Quebec, former Montreal star Bacary Sagna has admitted to GOAL, but the ex-Barcelona, Arsenal and Manchester United forward is being backed to star in MLS alongside Lionel Messi and Co. The veteran Chilean attacker has become the latest household name to go chasing the dream in North America.
Newcastle have endured a tough summer of sales, as they comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), but former Magpies star Shaka Hislop is among those to have been left questioning why the billions of Saudi owners are not allowed to be spent. He has, during an exclusive interview with GOAL, suggested that the Premier League needs to revise its monetary model.
Leeds have been advised to take inspiration from Manchester City and Erling Haaland when it comes to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, with Whites legend Gordon Strachan telling GOAL why he is concerned about the Elland Road No.9’s workload. No striking additions were made to Daniel Farke’s ranks during the summer transfer window, with another deadline having passed.
Could the new tactical system implemented by Chelsea impact Brazilian wonderkid Estevao? Blues legend Gus Poyet has answered that question for GOAL, with the Uruguayan admitting that another exciting winger at Stamford Bridge could end up heading down a similar path to former academy graduate Callum Hudson-Odoi - as he is asked to fill an unfamiliar role.
Bradley Barcola was heavily linked with Arsenal during the summer transfer window, but ultimately ended up at Liverpool after completing a £123 million ($167m) move from Paris Saint-Germain. That deal has raised a few eyebrows, and concerns, with ex-Gunners and France defender Bacary Sagna discussing the financial state of football during an exclusive interview with GOAL.
Tottenham have taken a “big gamble” on Mykhailo Mudryk, Gus Poyet has told GOAL, with a man that is returning after almost two years out of action boasting just “one quality”. That searing pace has served the Ukraine international well over the course of his career, but can it be put to good use in north London after crossing the English capital on loan from Chelsea?
