Chris Burton

Chelsea have been advised to brace themselves for Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez transfer bids, with Tony Dorigo telling GOAL that domestic and European rivals will be ready to test the Blues’ “resolve”. Failure to secure qualification for continental competition in 2026-27 will leave the Premier League heavyweights vulnerable to raids from afar, with key men already attracting admiring glances.

Sunderland have enjoyed a memorable first season back in the Premier League, but that has not stopped rumours of managerial change from surfacing - with Thomas Frank being linked with the Black Cats on the back of his surprising flop at Tottenham. Stadium of Light legend Michael Gray has addressed the “crazy” talk of change on Wearside during an exclusive interview with GOAL.

Jarrod Bowen is being tipped to make a huge transfer decision that will keep wife Dani and father-in-law Danny Dyer happy, with Glen Johnson telling GOAL why the England international is likely to remain at West Ham. Opportunities to leave have presented themselves to the goal-scoring winger, but personal and professional ties to the Hammers remain strong.

Chelsea have seen old adversaries Tottenham suffer a humbling fall from grace, but could the Blues find themselves on the same slippery slope in a season of three managers and potential failure to qualify for Europe? Blues legend Ruud Gullit hopes that fate can be avoided, with the Dutchman explaining to GOAL how Paris Saint-Germain need to be used as a source of inspiration.

Manchester United will need to find a playmaking successor to Bruno Fernandes at some point and, amid links to Elliot Anderson, Rene Meulensteen has told GOAL that Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White may be the man to tick that box. One raid on the City Ground for an England international midfielder is already being mooted, but should the Red Devils be eyeing a different target?

Robbie Keane would be a “great addition” for Celtic, Michael Gray has told GOAL, with the former Hoops loanee being backed to bring a coaching quality to Parkhead that any return for Ange Postecoglou would lack. The Old Firm giants find themselves back in the market for a new head coach, with a couple of familiar faces figuring prominently in collective thoughts.

Former Chelsea and Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has told GOAL why Xabi Alonso would be taking a big risk by agreeing to fill “the hottest seat in world football” at Stamford Bridge. With strong ties to Anfield, the World Cup winner is said to be in contention for a Premier League return in west London. Rafa Benitez has previously trodden that path, and proved how difficult it can be to win over supporters that will demand immediate results.

Cristiano Ronaldo could grace the 2030 World Cup, former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen has told GOAL, as a home finals in Portugal are “not too far” away for the history-making GOAT. The Al-Nassr superstar may be 41 years of age, but the evergreen frontman has proved over the course of his remarkable career that anything is possible and he likes nothing more than making a mockery of biological and sporting logic.

Cole Palmer would “want them to listen” if Chelsea were presented with an eye-watering, £150 million ($204m) transfer bid this summer, claims Glen Johnson. The former Blues defender has told GOAL why the England international playmaker may be considering a move elsewhere, with a return to his Manchester roots at United being heavily speculated on.

Jesse Lingard has been stepping a long way out of his comfort zone, heading to South Korea and Brazil, but a return to Britain - potentially at Wrexham - is not being ruled out. Former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen worked with the ex-England international at Old Trafford and can see the obvious appeal of JLingz linking up with Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac.

Chelsea have been warned off appointing Cesc Fabregas as their next manager, with the former Blues star considered to be in need of more experience as his current Como side have a tendency to “fall apart” in big games. Tony Dorigo has explained to GOAL why an alternative option would be better at Stamford Bridge for now, allowing a familiar World Cup winner to retrace steps to west London at some point further down the line.

Cristiano Ronaldo is still hoping to become a team-mate of eldest son Cristiano Junior, with former Manchester United colleague Louis Saha telling GOAL that it is “easier” for CR7 to live that “dream” than it was for LeBron James in NBA circles. One GOAT has already made professional sport a family business, with it possible that another could follow that lead.

Liverpool will need to appoint a new club captain at some point in the not too distant future, but who should inherit the armband from Virgil van Dijk? Former Reds defender Glen Johnson has told GOAL that Dominik Szoboszlai is an ideal candidate to take on that responsibility as the versatile and passionate Hungarian boasts “characteristics that Steven Gerrard had”.

Manchester United have been urged to avoid the “excuse” of “next year’s too early” when it comes to a Premier League title challenge, with Rene Meulensteen explaining to GOAL why Michael Carrick can be the man to put the Red Devils back in contention. He remains in interim charge for now, but Sir Alex Ferguson’s former assistant believes the foundations are in place on which to build a bid for domestic supremacy.

Aston Villa have work to do in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final clash with Nottingham Forest, but Tony Dorigo has told GOAL why Unai Emery can be an “incredible” ace up the Villans’ sleeve. The Spanish tactician is looking to land a familiar trophy for the fifth time in his coaching career, with Dorigo saying “if anyone can, he can” when it comes to bringing a 30-year wait for tangible success to a close in the West Midlands.

Phil Foden and Morgan Gibbs-White have been warned to brace for World Cup heartache, with Chris Waddle telling GOAL which playmakers he would pick if stepping into Thomas Tuchel’s shoes as England boss. The Three Lions are blessed with an abundance of creative options, such as Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers, meaning that some big names are going to be left disappointed.

Martin O’Neill has proved during a surprising return to management at Celtic that age is just a number, with Michael Gray explaining to GOAL why epic speeches are allowing the 74-year-old to flourish. The Northern Irishman has answered two SOS calls from Parkhead this season and may yet end the 2025-26 campaign with a fourth Scottish Premiership title to his name.

Gabriel Gudmundsson has become “one of the bargains of the season”, Michael Gray has told GOAL, with a fortune-changing tweak from Daniel Farke allowing the £10 million ($14m) left-back to thrive. Early doubts were raised regarding summer reinforcements at Elland Road following a slow start, but considerable value for money has been found while surging towards Premier League survival.