Chris Burton Author Image

Chris Burton

Senior News Writer

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.

Articles by Chris Burton
  1. Leoni out for 'around a year' with ACL injury, confirms Slot

    Liverpool have confirmed that Giovanni Leoni suffered knee ligament damage when making his competitive debut for the club in a Carabao Cup clash with Southampton. The teenage defender only moved to Anfield over the summer from Parma in his native Italy. Reds boss Arne Slot has announced that the talented youngster is expected to be sidelined for "around a year".

  2. Man Utd & Amorim 'working with Mainoo' on defending

    Ruben Amorim is reportedly "working with Kobbie Mainoo on his defensive plays" at Manchester United, with the Red Devils refusing to rule the homegrown midfielder out of their long-term future plans. The talented 20-year-old has struggled for regular game time under Amorim this season, but Casemiro's impending suspension could present him with an opportunity to reclaim a starting berth.

  3. Carragher blasts Chelsea's 'obsession for collecting wingers'

    Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has blasted Chelsea’s transfer policy, claiming that the Blues are "obsessed with collecting wingers" and are "more interested in transfers than trophies". The west London heavyweights did win the Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup in 2024-25, as Enzo Maresca enjoyed a productive debut campaign at the helm, but questions continue to be asked of the recruitment model at Stamford Bridge.

  4. Frankenstein team! Amorim gets Man Utd replacement warning

    Ruben Amorim has been warned that he faces the threat of being replaced by a Manchester United legend at Old Trafford, with a "Frankenstein team" being assembled. The Red Devils have continued to spend big in the transfer market, but are being told that "none of it fits together" as they continue to struggle for consistency. If positivity remains elusive, then a change in the dugout could be made.

  5. Helping Kane lift trophy curse still gives Dier 'goosebumps'

    Eric Dier admits that memories of breaking his trophy duck, while helping Harry Kane to lift his silverware curse, still gives him goosebumps. The versatile England international became a title winner alongside his close friend and fellow former Tottenham star when helping Bayern Munich to the Bundesliga crown in 2024-25. Memories of that success will live with Dier forever.

  6. Rooney in Man Utd meltdown as players & owners called out

    The ongoing struggles of Manchester United have Wayne Rooney in meltdown, with the club's all-time leading goalscorer calling out underperforming players and an ownership group that lacks leadership. Ruben Amorim continues to see questions asked of his future as manager at Old Trafford, with Rooney concerned by the direction in which the 13-time Premier League champions are heading.

  7. Bowen under fire amid questions of 'ability to lead West Ham'

    Jarrod Bowen has become caught up in the storm sparked by Graham Potter's sacking at West Ham, with questions being asked of whether the England international is the right man to lead the Hammers as captain. Another change in the dugout has been made at the London Stadium, with ex-Brighton and Chelsea coach Potter being relieved of his duties after just 25 games at the helm.

  8. 'Banging drums & smoke' - Liverpool get UCL 'pressure' warning

    Liverpool have been warned to brace themselves for "banging drums and smoke everywhere" when travelling to Turkey for a Champions League clash with Galatasaray. The Reds will be back in European action on Tuesday, with Arne Slot’s side being told - by a man who knows all about life at both clubs - that they must put any distractions out of their mind when entering the most hostile of environments.

  9. Man Utd missed 'saviour' as 'world would be different' with Kane

    Manchester United have been told that Harry Kane would have been their "saviour" and the "world would be different" had a transfer that was mooted across several transfer windows been completed. During Kane’s record-breaking spell at Tottenham, the Red Devils often saw a raid on Premier League rivals for the most prolific of strikers speculated on. No deal was ever done and the England international is now making more history in Germany with Bayern Munich.

  1. Rashford knows he's in form! Barca star revels in latest assist

    Marcus Rashford is revelling in his form at Barcelona, with the Manchester United outcast adding another assist to his tally with La Liga heavyweights. The England international has been deemed surplus to requirements at Old Trafford, allowing him to spend time with Aston Villa and Barca, and the 27-year-old forward is determined to prove to his parent club that he is no spent force.

  2. Wrexham provide 'temptation' for Liverpool legend Gerrard

    Working alongside Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney at Wrexham while remaining close to his Merseyside roots would be a serious "temptation" for Steven Gerrard, claims Pat Nevin. The Liverpool legend has been out of coaching since severing ties with Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq, but has left himself open to intriguing offers that could tempt him back into the dugout.

  3. 'Bluffed his way into job!' - Amorim's chat landed Man Utd role

    Ruben Amorim has been brutally told that he "bluffed his way into a job" at Manchester United, with his gift of the gab allowing a prominent Premier League post to be secured. The Portuguese tactician, after impressing in his homeland with Sporting, was handed the reins at Old Trafford in November 2024. A baptism of fire in English football has been endured since then, leading to plenty of uncomfortable questions being asked.

  4. 'Narrative like Hollywood!' - Rob & Ryan warned off Wrexham axe

    Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have been praised for making the "narrative" at Wrexham "like Hollywood", with three successive promotions being enjoyed, but they are being warned that sacking record-breaking manager Phil Parkinson would be "absolute madness". The odd question has been asked of the Red Dragons’ boss this season, with Steven Gerrard rumoured to be a possible contender to take over at SToK Racecourse.

  5. ‘Don't give a damn' - PSG stars hit back at Yamal & Barca

    Paris Saint-Germain stars “don’t give a damn” about what opponents have to say when it comes to ‘best team in the world’ titles, with Lamine Yamal and Pedri being made to eat their words as the current holders of the prestigious Champions League crown secured another notable victory over Barcelona. A thrilling contest in Catalunya, which swung one way and then the other, ended in dramatic circumstances as PSG snatched a 90th-minute winner.

  6. 'This is not Man Utd' - Red Devils ruled out of Kane race

    Gus Poyet, in an exclusive chat with GOAL, has brutally explained why there is little chance of Harry Kane ending up at Manchester United if the England captain decides to return to the Premier League from Bayern Munich. There are said to be clauses in the prolific striker’s contract that could allow him to head home in 2026, but Old Trafford is not expected to be his next destination.

  7. Liverpool set for mega pay-day if City found guilty in FFP case

    Liverpool, along with every other Premier League club, could be set for a mega pay-day if Manchester City are found guilty in their long-running Financial Fair Play (FFP) case. At least 115 charges have been hanging over the Etihad Stadium since February 2023. A final ruling, following an independent hearing, is expected at some point in the near future, with several potential outcomes still being speculated on.

  8. Lehmann reveals how she's living 'the dream' at Como Women

    Alisha Lehmann has detailed how she is living “the dream” after completing a transfer from Juventus to Como Women. The Swiss forward made her way to Italy in the summer of 2024, bringing a productive stint in WSL to a close. The ex-West Ham and Aston Villa forward became a Serie A title winner during her time in Turin. She is, however, now fully embracing a new challenge with a team that matches her personality and ambition on and off the field.

  9. Yamal told he'd have 'no chance' of winning BdO at Liverpool

    Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal has been told - in an exclusive interview carried out by GOAL - that he would have “no chance” of winning the Ballon d’Or at Liverpool, as Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer is offered advice on how he could push himself into contention for the most prestigious of individual honours. Those words have been delivered by Blues legend Gus Poyet, who continues to keep a close eye on European football.

  10. Rooney says Amorim would be ‘slaughtered’ if he made Slot call

    Wayne Rooney claims that under-fire Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim would be “absolutely slaughtered” if he made selection calls similar to those which saw Arne Slot’s Liverpool suffer a disappointing Champions League defeat at Galatasaray. The Reds have now come unstuck in their last two fixtures, with the odd question being asked of why a Dutch tactician at Anfield is tinkering so much.