Opinion

The first half of the campaign has seen many big names step up, but it isn't just the foreign stars who make up GOAL's best XI

A host of tactical masterminds have elevated their teams to new levels in the first half of the campaign - but who stands out above all the rest?

Pep Guardiola's side normally plan for the future in the January transfer window, but they also urgently need to sign cover for irreplaceable Rodri

Recent years have seen the Gunners recruit well in the winter, but their summer spending could restrict much-needed activity this time around

Xabi Alonso's sensational Bayer Leverkusen side have the most players in our selection of the top performers from the 'Big Five' leagues

There was plenty of big spending in England over the summer, but only some arrivals have taken to life at their new clubs

With the holidays upon us, GOAL reveals its wishlist for 2024, featuring Kylian Mbappe, VAR and a competitive Premier League

The Dane has been unable to replicate his brilliant Champions League form domestically, which is a huge concern for Erik ten Hag

Two flawed but fearsome attacking units will go head to head in a mouth-watering clash at Anfield on Saturday evening

The Parisians could upgrade in central defence, or go after a young attacking midfielder next month

The Blaugrana will welcome Vitor Roque to Catalunya this winter, but they need other reinforcements, especially in midfield

With injury problems mounting, Los Blancos are on the lookout for defensive reinforcements this winter

The men behind the ESL have returned with an even worse format but this whole sorry affair is an inevitable product of a broken system

It's clear that the 21-year-old has no future at Signal Iduna Park, and prolonging this bad marriage will only cause more damage to his career

The Frenchman's dominant display at Anfield last Sunday made a mockery of his recent removal from the starting line-up

The first half of the 2023-24 campaign has thrown up plenty of surprises, sparking intense competition for the best combined XI

The Portuguese didn't feature in GOAL50 for the first time ever - so is the 38-year-old finished at the very highest level?

The English duo are among some of the best-performing summer arrivals of the campaign so far

Even at 36, the No.10 remains the best player in the world, meaning he could yet feature in a record-breaking sixth tournament

The Brazilian forward has found the form of his life in the Spanish capital, and has formed a deadly duo with the current Ballon d'Or favourite

After their reckless recent outlay, the Blues should not need to spend again - but they find themselves desperately searching for solutions once more

Here is how the 50 best players in women's football for the 2022-23 season rank after your votes...

The 36-year-old has been once again voted the best player on the planet by GOAL readers thanks to his heroics at last year's World Cup

Four current Lionesses feature in GOAL's best XI as the WSL comes to a halt for the winter break with champions Chelsea on top

The Premier League giants could be the last team who will genuinely be considered champions of the world due to FIFA's controversial reforms

The Portuguese is the Red Devils' talisman, yet his critics are rounding on him after Champions League failure and missing the trip to Anfield

The Brazilian teenager could be the boost that Xavi's struggling side need as the Liga title race heats up

Ahead of Sunday's massive showdown at Anfield, the contrast between the two teams' managers could not be starker

The 28-year-old forward has decisively dismissed any notions that a ruptured ACL would diminish her incredible talent