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Calum Preston Kelly

News writer

📝 Bio: I'm a news writer who joined up with the team at GOAL as of May 2025. This came shortly after I had completed my NCTJ journalism diploma at PA Media Academy, where I specialised in sports journalism. I previously received a BA (Honours) degree at King's College London, where I studied French and Spanish and was lucky enough to spend a year studying abroad. My experience in journalism dates back to 2017, when I got to report on Chelsea Women home matches for local newspapers and won awards two years running in the Newsquest Young Reporter Scheme. Even earlier that that, I began publishing a football blog the year that Leicester City won the Premier League. I also recently spent a season volunteering on the media team at National League South side Hampton & Richmond Borough and have expertise in football across all levels of the pyramid and abroad.

My Football Story: I first fell in love with football as a seven-year-old watching the 2010 World Cup. Recording matches on my old-fashioned VHS player, I watched the recordings back time and again and learnt about all the players and teams. There the obsession began. The following season in 2010-11, my club QPR had the best campaign they have had in my lifetime, winning the Championship title and gaining promotion back to the Premier League, inspired by Moroccan magician Adel Taarabt. There have been moments of heartbreak too, though - namely England's gut-wrenching eliminations from the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020.

🎯 Areas of expertise:

  • Insight on English football from the Premier League and Championship down to non-league
  • European football and the tactical nous deployed across different spheres of the game
  • The use of social media to engage fans
  • Comment and analysis on transfer news and the player stories which matter most
  • Always looking to provide a unique viewpoint in tune with my own experiences

🌟 Favourite Footballing Memory: As a QPR fan, the play-off final in 2014 will be difficult to beat. Getting to be at Wembley to see Bobby Zamora's 90th-minute winner go in was a memory you can never forget. The fact my younger self had been somewhat afraid to go to the game, as I was sure Derby County would win - which they almost did - made it all the more special.

Articles by Calum Preston Kelly
  1. 'More to come' - Van Dijk backs Wirtz to step into Liverpool star role

    Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has suggested that it is only the start for Florian Wirtz at Anfield, after the German scored his first Premier League goal against Wolves on Saturday. Wirtz has had a challenging adaptation period since his £116million ($156.5m) summer arrival and Van Dijk emphasised he is "very happy" for his team-mate, citing his hard work for the team and stating that there is hopefully much more to come from Wirtz in a Reds shirt.

  2. Pulisic Sydney Sweeney

    Pulisic breaks silence on Sydney Sweeney dating rumours

    Christian Pulisic has broken his silence on if there is any truth behind dating rumours linking the AC Milan and USMNT star with American actress Sydney Sweeney. News broke earlier this week that the former Chelsea winger and Sweeney had struck up a romantic relationship and had been dating for some time, with 27-year-old Pulisic coming forward to give his take on the rumours after helping fire Milan to the top of Serie A on Sunday.

  3. 'Not sustainable' - Rooney voices Man Utd concerns after Newcastle

    Wayne Rooney has expressed his concerns over former club Manchester United ahead of the January transfer window, as the Red Devils continue to pick up positive results in the Premier League without being fully convincing, according to their all-time top goalscorer Rooney. United returned to a top-six place after beating Newcastle United on Boxing Day but might need to add to their squad in January, claims the pundit.

  4. 'Tired' Real Madrid reject THREE players for January transfer window

    Real Madrid have reportedly 'rejected' the signing of three big-name stars ahead of the January transfer window, as Los Blancos plan for their future amidst the intense recent pressure placed upon head coach Xabi Alonso. The three players in question all see their contracts expire on June 30, 2026, and so will be free to negotiate with foreign clubs from January 1. Real have often used this tactic to secure top signings, but have reportedly been offered and rejected the trio.

  5. 'Thanks to PSG!' - Hakimi set for sensational injury return at AFCON

    Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has thanked Paris Saint-Germain and president Nasser Al-Khelaifi for their role in helping Achraf Hakimi return to fitness, as the Atlas Lions captain nears a return for his national side at AFCON after the best part of two months on the sidelines. Hakimi is expected to feature in hosts Morocco's final group game against Zambia on Monday, and Regragui praised 'gentleman' Al-Khelaifi for allowing Hakimi to join up with his national side early to aid his recovery.

  6. 'Not quite yet' - Carragher walks back brutal Casemiro criticism

    Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has somewhat taken back his criticism of Casemiro following the Brazilian's renaissance under Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford. Carragher famously said of Casemiro that "the football has left him" in May 2024, but has now slightly gone away from those remarks and stated that the 33-year-old's ability at the highest level has not entirely diminished.

  7. Harvey Elliott Aston Villa 2025

    Why Elliott's Aston Villa 'nightmare' may not end anytime soon

    Harvey Elliott might have to settle for spending the remainder of the season at Aston Villa despite his disappointing loan spell thus far, as complications surrounding the terms of his season-long move from Liverpool have emerged ahead of the January transfer window. The 22-year-old completed a loan deal with a £35million ($47.2m) obligation to buy if he makes 10 appearances for the Villans, which appears unlikely to happen - but there are no guarantees he will return to Anfield soon.

  8. Moore overcomes error with vital brace in Wrexham comeback win

    Kieffer Moore was the match-winner for Wrexham as the striker scored twice to sink former club Sheffield United in a thrilling Boxing Day bonanza at the Racecourse. The Blades led 3-1 in the first half following a Moore error in his own box but a stunning comeback saw Phil Parkinson's side steal all three points in a 5-3 victory, which begun with an audacious Patrick Bamford backheel flick for the visitors and ended with Josh Windass powering home a penalty to complete the turnaround.

  9. Amorim backs out-of-favour Mainoo to be the 'future of Man Utd'

    Ruben Amorim has revealed he still believes Kobbie Mainoo is the "future of Manchester United", despite the 20-year-old's continued struggles for game time under the Portuguese at Old Trafford. Academy graduate Mainoo has been heavily linked with a move away from his boyhood club but Amorim suggested that he intends to keep the midfielder and believes that he still can thrive with the Red Devils.

  10. 'We’d prefer to lead' - Guardiola makes title race admission

    Pep Guardiola has admitted he would prefer Manchester City to be top of the Premier League rather than chasing down Christmas leaders Arsenal. The Cityzens have assumed the role of hunting down the early pace-setters, with a current two-point deficit which they will hope to overturn in the coming weeks. But Guardiola has revealed that he would find it easier if his side were "ten points clear of everyone".

  1. Slot backs Liverpool ace Ekitike to succeed in Isak's absence

    Arne Slot has backed Hugo Ekitike to continue his electric run in front of goal, praising the Liverpool striker for his "hard work" off the pitch and determination to succeed in what is proving to be a fruitful first season in England. Ekitike looks set to have increasing pressure placed on his shoulders following a broken leg suffered by Alexander Isak, but Slot praised the Frenchman for his efforts to get "fitter and fitter".

  2. Ex-PSG star sheds light on Mbappe & Neymar 'rift'

    Former Paris Saint-Germain defender Thiago Silva has revealed the circumstances behind the "rift" which developed between Kylian Mbappe and Neymar during the latter stages of their time together at the Parisian giants. The pair, signed as the world's two most expensive players ever and amongst the biggest stars in the game at the time, shared a close friendship at first but saw issues between them grow over their period at the club.

  3. Why Neymar will delay Santos contract renewal - explained

    Neymar's contract renewal with boyhood club Santos is set to be delayed, according to reports, as the Brazil superstar prepares for knee surgery. The 33-year-old is set to hold off on signing his extension until after the surgery has been completed, with the procedure expected to take place before Christmas. Neymar played through pain to ensure Santos avoided relegation from Brazil's Serie A, but will complete the knee procedure to keep his World Cup hopes alive.

  4. 📽️ | Injured Arsenal man Gabriel gets involved in 6-a-side bust-up

    Injury has not prevented Arsenal star Gabriel from getting involved in drama off the pitch, as the defender was seen embroiled in a furious bust-up during a six-a-side friendly in south London on Tuesday night. While the altercation was not physical and Gabriel was not playing in the game, he was seen running over to get involved in the incident following a 'horror' challenge during the match between supporters of Brazilian club Botafogo.

  5. 📽️ | Messi's India tour chaos as angry fans hurl seats

    The first stop of Lionel Messi's India tour took an unexpected turn as angry fans ripped up seats and hurled objects onto the pitch as chaos descended at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium. The unsavoury scenes came due to fan disgruntlement at Messi's brief 20-minute appearance, where they 'could not see his face'. The event organiser has been detained as a result of the incident and an enquiry is ongoing.

  6. Maresca worryingly reveals Palmer is still playing through pain

    Cole Palmer is still enduring pain and is not yet capable of playing three matches a week for Chelsea, head coach Enzo Maresca has revealed, as he provided an update on the Blues talisman's fitness after his return to action earlier this month. Palmer had been out since late September but returned off the bench in the defeat to Leeds United, starting against Bournemouth last weekend but then being rested for the Champions League in midweek.

  7. CR7 is Fast & Furious! Vin Diesel teases Ronaldo film appearance

    Cristiano Ronaldo could soon become a part of one of the biggest film franchises of the modern era, as Fast & Furious star Vin Diesel confirmed on social media that a role has been written for CR7 in the next instalment of the American movie series. Portugal and Al-Nassr superstar Ronaldo, 40, is nearing the end of his playing career and previously announced in April of this year that he was launching his own film studio alongside Matthew Vaughn.

  8. Greenwood's chances of PL return revealed amid Tottenham links

    Mason Greenwood continues to thrive for Marseille in France, leading to growing speculation over whether a return to the Premier League could be possible for the former Manchester United outcast. Links with a move to La Liga have also gathered pace, while tentative links with both Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United have led to questions after the highly controversial circumstances which led to his exile from Old Trafford in 2022.

  9. Liverpool ready to bid for Semenyo in January

    Liverpool may make their move for Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo in January once his £65 million ($87m) release clause becomes active, as the situation involving Mohamed Salah continues to intensify behind the scenes. The Reds reportedly feel that this situation, coupled with rival interest in Semenyo, may force their hand and result in a mid-season bid for the Ghanaian.

  10. Ex-Blues star begs club to sign 'dream' striker in January

    Ex-Chelsea star William Gallas has revealed who he believes the Blues should sign this January, as their lack of striking options rears its head once again following a second injury in quick succession for summer signing Liam Delap. Gallas believes the Blues should target 'dream' striker Victor Osimhen, who he believes would adapt with ease to the demands of the club and the Premier League and could put Chelsea 'on top'.