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. Bellingham shown straight red as miserable Dortmund start continues

    Jobe Bellingham's miserable start to life in Germany continued on Sunday as the England U21 international was shown a straight red card in Borussia Dortmund's disappointing 1-1 draw with Freiburg. The younger brother of Real Madrid star Jude joined the Bundesliga giants from Sunderland over the summer after playing a starring role in the Black Cats' promotion, but has struggled to find his feet at Signal Iduna Park.

  2. Fans demand Tottenham sack 'fool' Frank after Forest loss

    Tottenham fans are tonight calling on the club to sack Thomas Frank following another shambolic display in Sunday's 3-0 loss at Nottingham Forest. The defeat leaves the north London side in the bottom half of the table with supporters angry after yet another sub-par display that means Spurs have now won only one of their last seven league matches to leave their top-four hopes in tatters.

  3. Jones reveals how Liverpool squad feel about Salah's Anfield future

    Curtis Jones has shed light on how the Liverpool squad feel about Mohamed Salah following last week's outburst at Elland Road. Salah dropped a bombshell in his post-match interview following the 3-3 draw and claimed he had been "thrown under the bus", having started from the bench for the third successive match. The Egypt international is now being linked with a January exit from Anfield.

  4. Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk 'wants Mohamed Salah to stay'

    Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has revealed that he wants Mohamed Salah to stay at the club despite speculation linking the Egyptian away from Anfield. Salah claimed he'd been "thrown under the bus" by the club following last week's 3-3 draw at Leeds United, during which the forward was an unused substitute. The 33-year-old was then dropped from the squad for the midweek win at Inter Milan.

  5. Barcelona want to 'tempt' Man Utd outcast to Camp Nou

    Barcelona are keen to 'tempt' Kobbie Mainoo away from Manchester United but face stiff competition in the race for the midfielder. The England international had pushed to leave Old Trafford over the summer but was rebuffed in his efforts to leave the Manchester powerhouse. A January transfer has been mooted, though United need reinforcements before sanctioning his exit.

  6. Cole Palmer declared the 'best No.10 in world football'

    Chelsea hero John Terry has declared Cole Palmer the "best No.10 in the world" following his role in Saturday's 2-0 win over Everton. The Blues earned a first league victory since their 2-0 victory at Burnley last month to move back into the Champions League spots. And former centre-back Terry lavished praise upon Palmer after his first home league start since the opening weekend of the season.

  7. 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.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. '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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.