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. Should £50m Wissa have avoided Shearer’s Newcastle No.9 shirt?

    Yoane Wissa made the brave decision to take on Newcastle’s No.9 shirt when completing a £55 million ($75m) transfer to St James’ Park, and Paul-Jose M’Poku has told GOAL why that call can still be justified. The former Brentford striker has endured a testing debut campaign on Tyneside, but a fellow countryman is confident that peak form will be rediscovered in time.

  2. Could Vardy rejoin Leicester after back-to-back relegations?

    In 2016, Leicester City were Premier League champions and gracing Champions League competition. In 2021, they won the FA Cup and Community Shield - allowing another foray into European competition to be enjoyed. Fast forward five years and the Foxes have suffered back-to-back relegations and will be playing in League One next season. What has gone wrong? Paul Dickov has cast an eye over the “upsetting” situation during an exclusive interview with GOAL.

  3. Hero worship! How Real star Rodrygo has been inspired by Neymar

    Real Madrid and Brazil star Rodrygo has told GOAL why he continues to be inspired by fellow countryman Neymar, with hero worship being enjoyed while on international duty. Blancos forward Rodrygo will not be gracing this summer’s World Cup due to an unfortunate injury, but the Selecao’s all-time leading goalscorer remains in contention to earn a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s plans.

  4. ‘Brilliant love-hate relationship’ between Cherki & Guardiola

    Paul Dickov has explained to GOAL why there is a “brilliant love-hate relationship” between Rayan Cherki and Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. The “cheeky” France international playmaker has become a fan favourite at the Etihad Stadium, but some antics do not sit well with his demanding manager. There is, however, plenty of mutual respect between the pair and Cherki is considered to boast “scary” potential.

  5. Jama to KSI: What do celebrity coaches bring to Baller League?

    Baller League is a mix of amateur players, former professionals and famous faces - with some of those calling shots as celebrity managers. The likes of Alisha Lehmann, Maya Jama, Idris Elba, Ian Wright, KSI and Angry Ginge have all passed through the Copper Box Arena. What do these A-list stars offer to the collective cause? Former Tottenham academy graduate and current Yanited star Paul-Jose M’Poku has answered that question during an exclusive interview with GOAL.

  6. Worrying Grealish images emerge after 'boozy afternoon session'

    Worrying images of Jack Grealish have emerged that appear to show the England international falling asleep during a “boozy afternoon session” with friends. The 30-year-old playmaker has seen his 2025-26 campaign, and a loan spell at Everton from Premier League title chasers Manchester City, brought to a close by an unfortunate foot injury.

  7. Gyokeres not the answer! Arsenal still missing Haaland-esque No.9

    Arsenal hoped that Viktor Gyokeres would be the final piece in their Premier League title-winning puzzle, but Paul Dickov has told GOAL why the Gunners are still in need of an Erling Haaland-esque No.9. A player of that ilk has been sought at Emirates Stadium for some time, with the lack of a prolific striker considered to have contributed significantly to near misses on the domestic coronation front.

  8. Haaland backed to smash PL record held by Salah & Henry

    Erling Haaland is being backed to smash another record, one held by Arsenal and Liverpool legends Thierry Henry and Mohamed Salah, as the Manchester City striker closes in on his third Premier League Golden Boot. Only two men have ever collected four of those prizes, but Paul Dickov has told GOAL why an unstoppable Norwegian phenomenon will go on to rewrite the history books.

  9. ‘Can’t see Arsenal sacking him’ - Why Arteta could still leave

    Paul Dickov has told GOAL that despite being unable to see Arsenal “sacking” Mikel Arteta, the Spaniard could still leave Emirates Stadium if another Premier League title falls agonisingly out of reach. Some uncomfortable questions are being asked in north London, following another collapse of sorts, with Dickov offering his take on the long-running “bottle” debate.

  1. Revealed: Kane goal list had team-mates ‘laughing at him’

    Harry Kane once wrote a list of career goals that left Tottenham team-mates “laughing at him”, with fellow Spurs academy graduate Paul-Jose M’Poku telling GOAL who the “only person” that believed in the record-breaking striker was. In his younger years, few could have predicted what the current England captain would become. He has, however, had the last laugh and proved any doubters wrong.

  2. What has gone wrong at Spurs? Arsenal form part of explanation

    Tottenham thought they had bottomed out when finishing 17th in the Premier League, but now find themselves languishing in the relegation zone. What has gone wrong and in which direction should the finger of blame point? Former Spurs academy graduate and current Baller League star Paul-Jose M’Poku has used north London neighbours Arsenal as part of his explanation during an exclusive interview with GOAL.