📝Bio: Soham has been living and breathing football stories for almost a decade, carving his path as a news and SEO writer with an instinct for the big moments. Armed with an MA (Honours) in Sports Journalism from Symbiosis International University, he knew early on that his future wouldn’t be on the pitch but behind the pen, shaping narratives about the game he adores. He joined GOAL in 2017 and has since made his mark covering the Indian Super League, I-League, and the Indian national team. Based in Kolkata, where football is a religion, he grew up watching Bhaichung Bhutia scoring goals for fun in India, before falling head over heels for Real Madrid, a club that now dictates the rhythm of his everyday life.⚽My Football Story: It all began back in 2002. A cricket bat in hand, ready to step out, but then the skies opened up. The rain kept me indoors, and that twist of fate led me to the sofa, beside my father, who had a football match on TV. Little did I know at the time but it was the World Cup final: Brazil vs Germany. Forget the goals – what grabbed my imagination was Ronaldo’s haircut and his iconic celebration. From there, cricket slowly faded and football fever took over. By my teenage years, I was sneaking out of bed at 1am to watch the Champions League - fair to say I was hooked for life.
🎯Areas of Expertise:
Social media-specific content
Premier League, Champions League, European & Indian football coverage
Tactical analysis on the Indian national team
World Cup & European Championship tournaments
🌟Favourite Footballing Memory: The day Mohun Bagan demolished East Bengal 5-3 in the Kolkata Derby, with Chidi Edeh scoring four - a moment when the city turned maroon and green. But nothing beats the spine-tingling sight of Sergio Ramos’ 93rd-minute header in Lisbon, the goal that crowned Real Madrid’s La Decima and etched itself into footballing history.📝My All-Time XI: Iker Casillas; Phillip Lahm, Sergio Ramos, Fabio Cannavaro, Roberto Carlos; Claude Makélélé, Ronaldinho, Zinedine Zidane; Cristiano Ronaldo, Raúl, Lionel Messi.
Rafa Benitez lifted the lid on his relationship with Jose Mourinho and made his feelings known on the Special One joining Benfica. The pair first locked horns in England back in 2004, when Benitez arrived at Liverpool just two weeks after Mourinho swaggered into Chelsea. What followed was a feud laced with mind games, press-room barbs, and an incredible 15 clashes in just three seasons.
Arsenal’s boardroom has taken a glamorous twist with the arrival of Ben Winston, the Emmy-winning producer whose contacts list reads like a Hollywood roll call. The 43-year-old Arsenal obsessive has been added to the club’s new-look hierarchy after a dramatic reshuffle that saw long-time advisor Tim Lewis step aside and Josh Kroenke take a firmer grip of day-to-day influence.
Liverpool sporting director, Richard Hughes, justified the £450 million ($606m) summer spend which saw two club records shattered, and a squad reshaped with some of Europe’s hottest talents. Alexander Isak arrived for a record £125m ($168m) breaking the club’s transfer ceiling, whereas Florian Wirtz joined in a deal worth £100m, potentially rising to £116m ($156m).
Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen has put pen to paper on a bumper five-year deal, with the option to extend it by another season. It’s a massive show of faith in the 25-year-old, who rattled in 14 goals on loan from Celta Vigo last season before sealing a £23 million ($34m) permanent move in July. Now, despite heavy interest from Newcastle United, Wolves have made sure their star man isn’t going anywhere without a fight.
Marc Guehi has reportedly set his heart on a surprise transfer away from Crystal Palace after the defender saw his deadline day move to Liverpool collapse. The England defender came within a whisker of joining the Reds on deadline day, only for Crystal Palace to pull the plug when they couldn’t land a replacement.
Mikel Arteta has introduced a hardline rule at Arsenal, reportedly designed to boost unity, but it’s hitting his players squarely in the pocket. The Gunners boss, desperate to finally deliver the Premier League crown to north London after two decades of waiting, has made it mandatory for his squad to gather at the training ground before every single match, home or away.
Wrexham roared back into Championship form as Josh Windass marked his comeback with a blistering brace in a 3-2 victory over a limp Norwich City. The win eased the heat on Phil Parkinson, whose rocky start to life in the second tier had sparked murmurs of discontent. Norwich, however, remain in meltdown. Four home games, four defeats, the Canaries are spiraling.
David Moyes cut a furious figure after Everton’s 2-1 defeat at Anfield, branding referee Darren England’s handling of the Merseyside clash “very strange.” Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike had fired the champions into control, but Idrissa Gueye’s strike gave the Toffees hope. The visitors piled on late pressure, yet controversy dominated the aftermath as Moyes and his players left the red half of the city empty-handed once again.
Robert Sanchez made unwanted history with a disastrous early red card against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday evening. The Blues’ goalkeeper endured a shaky start, fumbling simple touches, but matters escalated catastrophically when Bryan Mbeumo surged through on goal.
Ange Postecoglou was satisfied with Nottingham Forest's progress since Arsenal defeat and Swansea collapse despite a 1-1 draw with fellow strugglers Burnley. The contest had all the hallmarks of a relegation six-pointer, with both sides desperate for points, but Forest were left licking their wounds after surrendering a lead.
Liverpool have been left devastated after confirming the sudden death of former women’s team manager Matt Beard at the age of just 47. The news has sent shockwaves through football, with tributes pouring in for a man who transformed the women’s game in England and became the most decorated coach in Liverpool Women’s history.
Ruben Amorim put up a passionate defence of Casemiro as he insisted that the Brazilian showed he "cares" with his reckless red card against Chelsea. The Brazilian midfielder had already found the net to double United’s lead, only to undo his own good work with a reckless challenge just before half-time. Already carrying a yellow, he lunged into another rash foul, leaving the referee with no choice but to send him packing.
Liverpool Women's manager Gareth Taylor paid a moving tribute to former boss Matt Beard after he passed away at just 47. Taylor admitted the shock has left a "big void" across the Reds' Melwood base and beyond. On Monday, the squad gathered in silence at training, holding a minute of reflection in his honour.
AC Milan & Inter have hired the architects behind Manchester United's new stadium to build a 71,500-capacity ground, with San Siro set to be demolished. The €1 billion project will see the two fierce rivals come together off the pitch in a once-in-a-generation move. Work is scheduled to begin in 2027, with doors opening to fans in 2030.
Tottenham's Carabao Cup clash with Doncaster has been thrown into the spotlight after a bizarre twist in the script as academy gem Damola Ajayi is set to line up against his parent club. The 19-year-old attacker, who only burst onto the scene last January with a thunderbolt debut strike against Elfsborg in the Europa League, was sent on loan to Rovers in the summer. Now, in a rare exception to the usual rules, he's been given the green light to feature on Wednesday night against Spurs.
Florian Wirtz opened up on his slow Liverpool start and insisted that he is desperate to bring out his best form amid Jurgen Klopp's "give him time" message. The German star arrived at Anfield with the weight of expectation on his shoulders after tearing up the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen last season. And the £116 million summer signing neither wants sympathy nor excuses for his rusty beginning.
Barcelona’s hopes of returning to Camp Nou this weekend have been dashed once again as the City Council refused to grant the licence needed to reopen the stadium. Hansi Flick’s side, amid ongoing renovations, were aiming to host Real Sociedad at a reduced capacity of 27,000 at Spotify Camp Nou, but security concerns have forced the club to look elsewhere.
Nathan Broadhead's super double propelled Wrexham into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup at the expense of a toothless Reading. After a docile first-half, Phil Parkinson's men jumped to life after the break to score twice and progress in the competition where they might come up against an opponent from the Premier League.
Jose Mourinho reportedly wanted 'to attend Chelsea games' before his Benfica appointment last week, but the Blues have no plans to offer a homecoming welcome to 'Judas' for their Champions League tie next week. Fresh from his abrupt sacking at Fenerbahce after failing to secure Europe’s top table through qualification, the 61-year-old is once again prowling touchlines where he believes he belongs.
Chelsea fans are "absolutely fuming" and have accused the Blues of exploitation ahead of Jose Mourinho's much anticipated return to Stamford Bridge in the Champions League. The clash has been slapped with a Category AA label, the most expensive tier in the club’s pricing structure, meaning adult general sale seats stretch up to a staggering £83.