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 back at Spurs: £57m transfer ‘big risk’ & a ‘downgrade’

    Danny Murphy, during an exclusive interview with GOAL, has explained why any £57 million ($76m) transfer involving Harry Kane would be a “big risk” and a “downgrade” for the England captain if he were to head back to Tottenham. After lifting his trophy curse with Bayern Munich, the former Spurs striker is seeing a return to his homeland in the summer of 2026 speculated on.

  2. Premier League to vote on 'salary cap' opposed by Utd & City

    The Premier League is reportedly set to vote on proposals that could see a “salary cap” of sorts introduced at the top end of English football. An “anchoring” plan has been drawn up, which would limit spending for elite clubs, with shareholders expected to address that issue in November. Several teams, including Manchester rivals United and City, are said to oppose the concept.

  3. Casemiro facing huge call on £375k-a-week Man Utd contract

    Casemiro faces a huge call on his £375,000-a-week Manchester United contract, according to reports. The Brazil international midfielder has been at Old Trafford since 2022, when he completed a stunning switch to England from La Liga giants Real Madrid. His current deal is running down, with interest from clubs in his homeland and the Saudi Pro League said to have been shown.

  4. Estevao backed to join Hazard & Zola in Chelsea legends club

    Chelsea wonderkid Estevao Willian is being backed to emulate Gianfranco Zola and Eden Hazard by securing legend status at Stamford Bridge, with the Brazilian youngster considered to be “unbelievably good”. He has already been likened to iconic countryman Neymar, with big shoes to be filled there, while also earning the nickname ‘Messinho’ (Little Messi) in his homeland.

  5. 📽️ | GOAT tips! Messi's bodyguard scores sensational volley

    Lionel Messi’s bodyguard, Yassine Cheuko, appears to have picked up a few tips from the Inter Miami superstar. The former Navy SEAL has shown that he boasts finishing skills of his own, with a stunning volley being fired into the top corner. Unlike Messi, who is usually pretty reserved after hitting the back of the net, Cheuko indulged in a wild celebration after registering a scorching strike.

  6. Lewandowski out of Clasico! Barcelona rocked by injury blow

    Barcelona have suffered another injury blow, with Robert Lewandowski picking up a muscle tear while on international duty with Poland. The reigning La Liga champions have put no timescale on the Polish striker’s recovery, but it is being reported that he could be sidelined for several weeks. If that proves to be the case, then the veteran frontman will miss a Clasico clash with Real Madrid on October 26.

  7. 'So f*cking dissatisfied' - Isak fumes after Sweden are booed

    Alexander Isak was left “so f*cking dissatisfied” after seeing Sweden booed by their own supporters during another abject display in World Cup qualifying. Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side appear destined to miss out on next summer’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with Liverpool striker Isak admitting that their recent performances have been “embarrassing”.

  8. Like Rooney & Gerrard! Bellingham concerns are ‘nonsense’

    Jude Bellingham has been likened to Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard, with Danny Murphy saying in an exclusive chat with GOAL that any concerns regarding the Real Madrid superstar’s character are “nonsense”. Bellingham has faced a few uncomfortable questions on the back of being left out of the latest England squad, with Thomas Tuchel talking up the need for harmony in his ranks.

  1. Cristiano Ronaldo Manchester United 2022

    'Perfect for him' - Ronaldo tipped to fill future role at Man Utd

    Cristiano Ronaldo is being tipped to fill a future role at Manchester United, after taking in two spells at Old Trafford as a player, with Wes Brown claiming that an executive post for the Portuguese superstar would be “perfect”. Evergreen Al-Nassr frontman CR7 is not ready to consider a role behind the scenes just yet, with a new two-year contract being committed to in the Saudi Pro League that will take him beyond his 42nd birthday.

  2. 📽️ | GOAT! Lehmann chooses between Messi & Ronaldo

    Alisha Lehmann has added her voice to the Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo GOAT debate, with the Switzerland international making her choice. Lehmann, who is now playing her club football in Italy for Como Women, has also aired her admiration for Ballon d’Or Feminin winner Alexia Putellas and admitted that she remains a big fan of the Premier League.

  3. Trippier's estranged wife terrified after raid at £2m mansion

    Kieran Trippier’s estranged wife Charlotte has been left terrified after seeing burglars attempt to break into her £2 million mansion. Security measures ultimately did their job, with potential intruders failing to get inside the property, but a scary ordeal has “sent chills down the spine” of a family that fear they could be targeted again. Local police forces are investigating the incident.

  4. Rashford sent wasted talent warning by England boss Tuchel

    Marcus Rashford has been warned by England manager Thomas Tuchel that, despite all that he has achieved, his undoubted talent could still go to waste. Manchester United academy graduate Rashford is, at 27 years of age, in the process of rebuilding his career. Having been deemed surplus to requirements at Old Trafford and overlooked by the Three Lions on a regular basis, the jet-heeled forward is now enjoying a loan spell at Barcelona.

  5. Ex-Arsenal star Wilshere explains why he is a managerial ‘risk’

    Former Arsenal star Jack Wilshere accepts that he is a “risk” when it comes to managerial appointments, with the ex-England international accepting a challenging first full-time coaching job. At just 33 years of age, and with limited experience under his belt, Wilshere has taken the reins at League One side Luton Town - with that move ensuring that his career has gone full circle.

  6. Lampard identified as ideal Tuchel successor for England

    Frank Lampard would be an ideal successor to Thomas Tuchel when the England manager’s job next becomes available, former Coventry striker Matt Jansen has exclusively told GOAL. The Three Lions legend is in the process of rebuilding his reputation as a coach with Championship promotion hopefuls and could be a contender to step into a prominent international post at some stage.

  7. Revealed: When Odegaard will return from injury for Arsenal

    Martin Odegaard is reportedly set to spend several weeks on the sidelines at Arsenal with a knee injury, with it unlikely that he will be ready to return until after the next international break in November. The Gunners captain suffered his latest fitness setback during a Premier League outing against West Ham, with it later being revealed that he had picked up medial collateral ligament damage.

  8. Yamal transfer pipe dream! PSG still want Barcelona wonderkid

    Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly clinging to the hope that Lamine Yamal could one day be lured away from Barcelona. The teenage wonderkid signed a lucrative contract extension in Catalonia over the summer, after turning 18, but continues to see questions asked of his future. It could be that he once again finds himself heading down the same path as Lionel Messi.

  9. England dealt fresh blow after freak injury & Kane knock

    England have been dealt a fresh blow to their attacking plans, with Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins forced to withdraw from Thomas Tuchel’s squad after suffering a freak injury. The Three Lions were without all-time leading goal-scorer Harry Kane for a friendly date with Wales, as he nurses a knock of his own, with a selection headache being posed ahead of a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Latvia.

  10. Vini Jr isn't untouchable! Real would sanction €250m transfer

    Vinicius Junior is no longer "untouchable" at Real Madrid, according to reports, with Los Blancos prepared to sanction a sale if the right offer arrives. That deal would need to smash all kinds of records, with the Spanish giants demanding €250 million (£217m/$290m) for their Brazil international forward. Few teams can afford to meet that asking price, but big-spending sides in the Saudi Pro League could.