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. Kane gets unique England billing that Bellingham will never enjoy

    Harry Kane has been given a unique billing in the England squad, with Joe Cole explaining to GOAL why the Three Lions captain boasts an international standing that even Jude Bellingham cannot match. Kane continues to rewrite the history books with club and country and is considered to be integral to Thomas Tuchel’s plans ahead of a bid for World Cup immortality this summer.

  2. Win trophies or entertain? Mourinho conundrum facing Newcastle

    Jose Mourinho rumours refuse to go away at Newcastle, as questions are asked of Eddie Howe’s future, and Chris Waddle has told GOAL why any club considering a move for the ‘Special One’ must mull over the “win trophies or entertain” conundrum. Mourinho boasts several major honours on his glittering CV, but the ex-Chelsea and Real Madrid boss has faced accusations of being “boring” at times.

  3. Pep asked questions! Should Wolves wonderkid Mane stay put?

    Mateus Mane continues to generate plenty of interest at Wolves, with Michael Gray telling GOAL that Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has already asked questions of the teenage wonderkid. Several other heavyweight outfits are said to be monitoring the talented 18-year-old, who faces some big decisions on his future at club and international level.

  4. Never wanted to be there? Future questions asked of Spurs stars

    Tottenham may yet steer a course to Premier League safety, but transfer talk will rage on into the summer regardless - with Chris Waddle addressing Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven future questions during an exclusive interview with GOAL. He has suggested that certain individuals are looking for a way out, while Spurs have been told that they need to “change” their recruitment policy as a collective.

  5. Tuchel urged to rethink World Cup plans on ‘perfect’ Maguire

    Thomas Tuchel has been urged to rethink his World Cup plans when it comes to Harry Maguire, with former England full-back Michael Gray explaining to GOAL why the Manchester United centre-half is worth his “weight in gold” to the Three Lions cause. German tactician Tuchel has some big selection calls to make ahead of a global gathering in North America this summer.

  6. World Cup round USMNT ‘need’ to help Pulisic & Messi grow game

    The USMNT have been informed of the round they “need” to reach at the 2026 World Cup in order to help Christian Pulisic, Lionel Messi and MLS grow the game across America. Joe Cole spent time in the States towards the end of his playing career and the former England international has told GOAL why soccer is more appealing than American football to an ever-growing number of youngsters.

  7. ‘Three things’ that mean Ronaldo could still star in UCL

    Cristiano Ronaldo could still star in the Champions League at 41 years of age, the Portuguese GOAT’s former Manchester United team-mate Louis Saha has told GOAL. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who is now plying his trade in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr, is considered to have “three things” that make him “unique” and capable of gracing any stage.

  8. PL return for £170m-rated Olise? Alternative transfer predicted

    Michael Olise has been posting “crazy” numbers at Bayern Munich, leading to him reportedly having a £170 million ($229m) price tag placed around his neck, and Louis Saha has told GOAL why a return to the Premier League may not be the France international’s next move. Few teams on the planet could afford to put a transfer package in place for Olise, but that does not mean that the former Crystal Palace star is destined to head back to England.

  9. ‘Clubs circling’ - West Ham sent Fernandes transfer warning

    West Ham have been warned that there will be “clubs circling” for Mateus Fernandes in upcoming transfer windows, with Joe Cole admitting to GOAL that the Hammers may find it difficult to retain the services of a “proper player”. After two seasons in English football, the highly-rated Portuguese midfielder is already said to be attracting interest from Manchester United and Liverpool.

  10. Will UCL & Ballon d’Or luck change for ‘black cat’ Mbappe?

    Kylian Mbappe has been unable to get his hands on Champions League and Ballon d’Or prizes, but former France international Louis Saha has used Cristiano Ronaldo as an example of why fortunes can change quickly for a “black cat”. Luck has not been on Mbappe’s side, despite being a World Cup-winning superstar, but the most prestigious of honours are expected to come his way eventually.

  1. ‘England’s greatest No.9’ - Kane has eclipsed Rooney & Shearer

    Harry Kane is considered to have become “England’s greatest No.9”, with Joe Cole explaining to GOAL why the prolific Bayern Munich striker has eclipsed the efforts of Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer. As the Three Lions’ all-time leading goalscorer, and ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Kane is currently in the process of chasing down Champions League and Ballon d’Or honours.

  2. Man Utd ‘third choice’ for Rashford amid £26m Barca standoff

    Marcus Rashford has been told that his “time has passed” at Manchester United, with Louis Saha explaining to GOAL why the England international will have no future at Old Trafford even if Barcelona opt against triggering a £26 million ($35m) permanent transfer option. The 28-year-old forward has spent the 2025-26 campaign on loan at Camp Nou and is expected to complete a move “somewhere” in the next window.

  3. Two more wins? Spurs set points total target for PL survival

    Tottenham have been told how many points they have to get from their remaining four fixtures in order to avoid relegation out of the Premier League, with Louis Saha telling GOAL why “terrible” decisions are to blame for surprising struggles in north London. Spurs are sweating on their top-flight status heading into the closing stages of what has been a disastrous campaign.

  4. Everton & Villa cannot compete with Lampard on transfer front

    Coventry are back in the Premier League for the first time in 25 years, with GOAL being told why the likes of Aston Villa, Everton and Brighton will struggle to compete with Sky Blues boss Frank Lampard on the transfer front. Established top-flight outfits may have more money to spend, but Joe Cole believes a “marquee name” at the CBS Arena will help to attract the kind of talent that may prove out of reach to others.

  5. Man Utd told ‘better fit’ from Guimaraes, Anderson & Tchouameni

    Manchester United are being linked with Bruno Guimaraes, Elliot Anderson and Aurelien Tchouameni, with Louis Saha telling GOAL who the “better fit” from that trio would be. More big money is set to be spent by the Red Devils in the next transfer window as a natural successor to Casemiro is sought in the Old Trafford engine room. Raids on Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Real Madrid have been mooted.

  6. Palmer to Man Utd? Chelsea told what transfer is ‘dependent’ on

    Cole Palmer has seen a return to his Manchester roots with United speculated on, and Joe Cole has told GOAL what a potential summer departure from Chelsea will be “dependent” on. The England international playmaker has cut a frustrated figure at times this season, with Champions League qualification seemingly destined to fall out of reach for those at Stamford Bridge.

  7. Would Ronaldo consider Man Utd return if Carrick asked?

    Cristiano Ronaldo played alongside Michael Carrick at Manchester United, so would the Portuguese GOAT consider a return to Old Trafford if asked to tread that path by the Red Devils’ current boss? Louis Saha, another former colleague of CR7 at the so-called ‘Theatre of Dreams’, has explained to GOAL why record-chasing and bench duty will figure in any future planning from the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

  8. How Liverpool can ensure that Ngumoha plays with no fear

    Liverpool have been advised on how to ensure that Rio Ngumoha continues to play with no fear, with Joe Cole answering wonderkid development and Mohamed Salah replacement questions during an exclusive interview with GOAL. The Reds will have attacking voids to fill at the start of the 2026-27 campaign, but they have been warned against lumping too much pressure on 17-year-old shoulders.

  9. Kane billed as world’s best No.9 but could change position

    Harry Kane is considered to be the best No.9 in world football, with former team-mate Paul-Jose M’Poku explaining to GOAL why the Bayern Munich superstar sits above Kylian Mbappe on that list. The former Tottenham academy graduate has also speculated on whether the current England captain could be viewed as the greatest striker of his generation and how a late-career positional change may be on the cards.