Ben McAleer

Ben McAleer

News writer & editor

📝 Bio: I am a freelance football expert with over 15 years’ experience in the industry. Having put the ‘free’ into freelance after graduating Bath Spa University with a degree in Media Communications in 2010, I was lucky enough to make the move into full-time work with football stats website WhoScored.com in 2013, progressing through the ranks until I became Head of Content in 2022 before leaving in 2025. I’ve been lucky enough to write about the sport I love for well over a decade, which includes the privilege of attending some of the biggest games in the Premier League and Champions League.

âšœ My Football Story: A frustrated Tottenham fan, I can recall my first ever match at White Hart Lane as my dad dragged me along to a drab 0-0 draw with Wimbledon in January 1999. While it hardly set the world alight, this was the match that remarkably made me fall in love with the beautiful game. Since then, I’ve been to countless games at home and abroad, as both a fan and as press, letting out a sound that no man should make as Dele Alli scored that goal at Crystal Palace. I’ve also had the privilege of seeing the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the flesh.

🎯 Areas of Expertise:

  • Expert opinion & analysis
  • Sub-editing
  • Scout reports
  • News writing & editing
  • Premier League, Champions League, Europa League & European football
  • Betting

🌟 Favourite Footballing Memory: Travelling to Wembley for the 2008 Carling Cup final as Tottenham beat Chelsea thanks to Jonathan Woodgate’s face. It was the longest 120 minutes of my life but the relief as the full-time whistle blew
 gives me goosebumps to this day. Taking my son to his first ever Tottenham game, albeit a pre-season one, also fills me with a sense of pride, even if he does insist he now supports Arsenal


Articles by Ben McAleer
  1. Liverpool consider launching January swoop for Rodrygo

    Liverpool are considering a January move for Real Madrid outcast Rodrygo as they eye up a replacement for Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian has been linked with a move away from Anfield in the New Year following a bombshell interview he gave in the wake of Saturday's 3-3 draw with Leeds. And the Brazilian forward has emerged as a potential target for the defending champions.

  2. Sonia Bompastor rues 'really frustrating' Everton loss

    Sonia Bompastor has rued Chelsea's 'frustrating' loss to Everton on Sunday, a result that leaves the club falling behind Manchester City in the WSL title race. Chelsea have now failed to win their last three league matches following a 1-0 home defeat, despite dominating at Kingsmeadow as the Blues again failed to find the breakthrough as they fell to a narrow loss.

  3. Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler reveals cancer treatment

    Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has revealed he recently underwent cancer treatment and has urged others to 'get checked' in an emotional social media post. The striker came through the ranks at Liverpool, and scored 120 league goals in 236 appearances before leaving for Leeds in 2002 having lost his spot in the Reds first team to iconic strike duo Emile Heskey and Michael Owen.

  4. Palace boss Glasner confirms reason for Munoz absence

    Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has confirmed the reason Daniel Munoz sat out Sunday's trip to Fulham. Munoz missed out on the Premier League clash at Craven Cottage as the Eagles look to follow up their 1-0 win Burnley in midweek. The Colombian scored the winning goal at Turf Moor on Wednesday night but wasn't part of the matchday squad in west London at the weekend.

  5. Body language expert makes worrying Salah prediction

    A body language expert believes that Mohamed Salah has already 'made up his mind' over his Liverpool future following his criticism of Reds boss Arne Slot after Saturday's 3-3 draw at Leeds. Salah started on the bench for the third game running as Liverpool conceded late on to share the spoils in the six-goal thriller at Elland Road to compound a miserable season.

  6. Gyokeres makes 'creativity' demand to Arsenal team-mates

    Viktor Gyokeres knows exactly what Arsenal need to do in order to get their season back on track. The Gunners lost ground in the title race as they fell to just their second Premier League defeat of the season at Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon. Combined with Manchester City's win over Sunderland, Arsenal's lead at the top of the table has been cut to just two points.

  7. 'It's a team game!' Owen blasts Salah after Slot criticism

    Liverpool legend Michael Owen has slammed Mohamed Salah after his scathing post-match interview on Saturday night. Liverpool played out an entertaining 3-3 draw with Leeds at Elland Road as the Reds' title defence continues to falter. Salah, meanwhile, started his third successive league match on the bench and was an unused sub by under pressure head coach Arne Slot.

  8. Gary Neville reveals advice for Arsenal following Villa loss

    Gary Neville has delivered his advice for Arsenal after their lead at the top of the Premier League table was cut to two points on Saturday afternoon. The Gunners are the favourites to win the title for the first time in over 20 years but their recent wobble means rivals Manchester City are now breathing down their necks as Arsenal look to improve upon three successive second-placed finishes.

  1. Chelsea legend Cole makes frank admission over Kane and Palmer

    Former Arsenal and Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole has admitted coaching Harry Kane and Cole Palmer in the England setup gave him imposter syndrome. Cole is now a full-time coach in the England setup and previously served as assistant to Lee Carsley during his interim stint in charge of the Three Lions while also working with the U21s, having previously worked with Birmingham City.

  2. Arne Slot warned the 'end is near' by former Liverpool legend

    Arne Slot's days at Liverpool are numbered, according to former Reds midfielder Dietmar Hamann. The Dutchman guided the Merseyside giants to the Premier League title in his debut season at Anfield but Liverpool's title defence lies in tatters with six defeats in the opening 12 league games of the season. And on a dire run of form, it's perhaps only a matter of time before Slot is shown the exit.

  3. Neymar defies medical advice to play in crucial Santos win

    Neymar went against advice from doctors to play through on for Santos as they secured a crucial win in their bid to beat the drop from Brazil's top flight. Santos hosted Brasileirao footers Sport Recife and secured what could prove to be a vital three points as they look to stave off the threat of relegation. And Neymar was key in a 3-0 victory that may have ended the forward's season.

  4. The reason Ancelotti never wanted to be Man Utd manager

    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed the reason that Carlo Ancelotti never wanted to be Manchester United manager. Solskjaer was United boss between 2018 and 2021, a period in which Ancelotti was head coach of Everton. Solskjaer has admitted why the legendary Italian boss would never take on the United job, explaining what happened in a game between United and the Toffees.

  5. Brighton apologise after insensitive use of WWII image

    Brighton have been forced to issue an apology after winger Kaoru Mitoma and an academy talent posed for a picture with an image of an infamous Japanese WWII soldier. The post sparked huge backlash on social media, particularly in China, as the Premier League side 'sincerely apologised' for any offence caused by the post in question, uploaded as part of the academy's participation in the Premier League Christmas Truce Tournament.

  6. Solskjaer reveals which surprising English club he nearly joined before Man Utd

    Manchester United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has lifted the lid on a single appearance that changed the course of his entire career. The striker moved to United in July 1996, joining from Norwegian side Molde for just ÂŁ1.5m, winning the Champions League three years later. But it could have been so different, revealing the Manchester giants weren't the only English side interested in securing his services almost three decades ago.

  7. Ellie Roebuck receives first Lionesses call-up since 2023

    Ellie Roebuck has returned to the England squad for meetings with China and Ghana, the FA has confirmed. The Aston Villa stopper replaces Manchester City goalkeeper Khiara Keating due to injury, her first time being selected by the Lionesses since shortly after the 2023 World Cup. In the intervening years, Roebuck's health issues had put her entire career in severe jeopardy.

  8. Man Utd defender Martinez declared 'ready to play'

    Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez is in contention to face Crystal Palace on Sunday having returned to full fitness following a lengthy injury layoff. The Argentine suffered an ACL injury against Palace at Old Trafford back in February. Having made the matchday squad against Everton on Monday, Ruben Amorim has confirmed that signals his availability moving forward.

  9. Cucurella credited with significant role in Estevao explosion

    Marc Cucurella has helped Estevao along massively since the teenager arrived at Chelsea, contributing to his explosion of form. The Blues agreed a deal with Brazilian side Palmeiras to sign the youngster last year but he was unable to move to Stamford Bridge until after his 18th birthday back in April. Estevao has since made a huge impact in west London, quickly established as a fan favourite.