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Manchester City have been informed as to who the “best replacement” for Pep Guardiola will be, while Vincent Kompany is being backed to return to the Etihad Stadium at some point. Former Blues captain Richard Dunne has told GOAL what the future could look like in a coaching capacity, with two highly-decorated managers set to see their respective contracts expire in 2027.

Trent Alexander-Arnold made his England debut in 2018 but has only taken his tally of caps to 34, with Gareth Southgate and Thomas Tuchel taking to snubbing Real Madrid’s former Liverpool defender on a regular basis. Michael Owen, who also spent time at Anfield and Santiago Bernabeu in his playing days, has told GOAL why the buccaneering full-back may have seen his 2026 World Cup dream dashed.

The Premier League have been warned that they would be “ruining their own competition” by hitting Manchester City with a 60-point penalty at this stage of the season, with a “stupid” Financial Fair Play (FFP) saga continuing to drag on. Potential sanctions in a 115-charge case are still being mooted, with Richard Dunne telling GOAL when a ruling will likely be delivered.

Thomas Tuchel has admitted that Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman has a “chance” of making England’s 2026 World Cup squad, but would an opportunity such as that be arriving too early for the 16-year-old forward? GOAL has put that question to Michael Owen, a man that knows all about making a senior breakthrough with the Three Lions as a teen sensation.

Nottingham Forest’s surge to third in the Premier League table as a newly-promoted club “will never happen again”, Mark Crossley has told GOAL, with that achievement deserving greater recognition. The Reds, alongside Newcastle, boast the record for highest finish secured immediately after stepping into the big time since a bold new era for English football was embraced in 1992.

Emi Martinez appeared destined to leave Aston Villa in the summer of 2025, only to end up staying put, but could the World Cup-winning goalkeeper finally get his move 12 months on? The enigmatic Argentina international has remained an important part of Unai Emery’s plans in the West Midlands, but Emile Heskey has told GOAL why a sale is likely to be agreed in the next transfer window.

When West Ham left Upton Park things were never going to be the same, but ex-Hammers striker Marlon Harewood has told GOAL why the London Stadium can still be an “amazing place”. Many disgruntled fans, of the home and away variety, have failed to take the former Olympic venue into their hearts. It does, however, tick many important boxes for an ambitious East End outfit.

Manuel Ugarte has been advised to leave Manchester United in the next transfer window, with Gus Poyet still disappointed that his fellow Uruguayan snubbed a move to Chelsea. A switch to Old Trafford has not played out as planned for the South American midfielder, with Poyet telling GOAL why the 24-year-old finds himself entering a career-defining “big summer”.

Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White have been sent an England-themed relegation warning at Nottingham Forest, but there is no guarantee that both will leave the City Ground this summer. The Reds - who are also seeing Brazilian defender Murillo generate transfer talk - are battling for Premier League survival, with Marlon Harewood discussing various scenarios there with GOAL.

Steven Gerrard has been brutally informed that his dream of managing Liverpool has “died”, with an emotional return to Anfield being ruled out. There was a point, when winning the Scottish Premiership title at Rangers, that Gerrard was considered to be a Reds boss of the future. Emile Heskey has told GOAL why that may no longer be the case for his former team-mate.

Mikey Moore has long been billed as one of the most exciting wonderkids in British football, with Andy Gray telling GOAL why Rangers may continue to benefit from the 18-year-old’s impressive development. The teenage playmaker is tied to Premier League giants Tottenham, but a productive loan spell at Ibrox has been enjoyed and an extension to that deal could be thrashed out for 2026-27.

Nottingham Forest’s clash with Tottenham on Sunday promises to be epic, but Mark Crossley has told GOAL why four home matches beyond that will be the “most important games in the club’s history”. The Reds are serving up their annual dose of drama, having become embroiled in another relegation battle, with Premier League survival up for grabs.

Harry Kane is “in the discussion” for Ballon d’Or honours, but may need to win the Champions League with Bayern Munich and star for England at the 2026 World Cup in order to land the Golden Ball. Emile Heskey admits as much, with the former Three Lions forward telling GOAL how his fellow striker can earn the prestigious billing of best player on the planet.

Alejandro Garnacho has been told what is missing from his game and how a £40 million ($54m) price tag at Chelsea can be justified. The Argentina international winger has struggled for consistency across the end of his time at Manchester United and during his debut campaign at Stamford Bridge. Former Blues star Gus Poyet has told GOAL how the 21-year-old can live up to expectations.

Emile Heskey has revealed to GOAL that his son Jaden is enjoying “getting battered” during a spell at Sheffield Wednesday, with England U18 star Reigan next in line for a loan transfer away from Manchester City. Ex-Liverpool striker Heskey is playing the role of proud father as his children seek to forge their own career in the professional game, with senior football required in order to complete that process.

James McAtee has endured a tough time at Nottingham Forest following his £30 million ($40m) transfer from Manchester City, with the 23-year-old playmaker prompting a “difficult conversation”. Former Reds striker Marlon Harewood has told GOAL why struggles for a spark at the City Ground are difficult to understand, with McAtee clearly a talented individual.

Matt Turner may have fallen down the USMNT’s goalkeeping depth chart, but Brad Friedel has explained to GOAL why the New England Revolution shot-stopper could still have a vital role to play at the 2026 World Cup. Matt Freese is considered to be leading the race for starting duties at this summer’s global gathering in North America, but Mauricio Pochettino will want an able back-up at his disposal.