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 be higher' - Kane's shock Ballon d'Or ranking savaged

    Thomas Tuchel is among those to have been left stunned by Harry Kane’s tumble to 13th in the 2025 Ballon d’Or standings, with the England manager admitting that one of the most fearsome strikers on the planet “should be higher” than that. The prolific Bayern Munich frontman, who remains in red-hot form this season, failed to make the top 10 as Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembele walked off with the Golden Ball.

  2. Odegaard and Arsenal offered concerning injury update

    Martin Odegaard and Arsenal have been given a concerning injury update after seeing the midfielder suffer medial collateral ligament damage. The Norway international picked up that knock during a Premier League clash with West Ham. In what has been a frustrating season on the fitness front for the Gunners captain, he is now facing another spell on the sidelines.

  3. Future Wrexham boss? Gerrard fits & Mourinho loves ‘drama’

    Matt Jansen has, in an exclusive chat with GOAL, explained why Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard would be a good fit for the manager’s job at Wrexham. He has also admitted that Jose Mourinho would likely relish the “drama” of working alongside Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac in front of documentary cameras if the opportunity ever arose for him to take the reins at SToK Racecourse.

  4. Kane’s ‘three years’ transfer advice from record holder Shearer

    Harry Kane has been advised to spend another “two or three years” at Bayern Munich, with Alan Shearer offering transfer advice to the England captain in an ongoing bid to retain his Premier League goals record. Ex-Blackburn and Newcastle frontman Shearer is aware that prolific former Tottenham striker Kane may have one eye on returning to his homeland and adding another entry to the history books.

  5. Konate teases Saliba about Arsenal's Premier League title hopes

    Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has teased international team-mate William Saliba about Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes, with two French defenders locking horns again in a bid to establish domestic dominance in the English top-flight. That crown currently resides at Anfield, but a thrilling start to the 2025-26 campaign suggests that north London heavyweights are ready to compete for major honours once again.

  6. Man Utd sale? Saudi promoter says Red Devils 'finalising deal'

    Saudi sports promoter Turki Al-Sheikh, who has helped to bring major boxing events to the Middle East, has sensationally claimed that Manchester United are up for sale once more and are “finalising a deal” that will see the club passed on to new owners. The Red Devils were involved in a protracted takeover saga throughout 2023 that ended when Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS group acquired a 25 per cent stake in the club and took control of football operations at Old Trafford.

  7. Tuchel explains why England are 'underdogs' at 2026 World Cup

    Thomas Tuchel has explained why England will be “underdogs” at the 2026 World Cup. The Three Lions have made faultless progress towards that competition, with maximum points being taken from five qualification fixtures. They have enough talent at their disposal to be considered serious contenders for a global crown, but Tuchel has sought to rein in pre-tournament expectations.

  8. Bellingham WC warning! Tuchel prepared to snub most talented

    The likes of Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer, who saw fitness concerns rule them out of the latest England squad, have been handed a World Cup warning by Thomas Tuchel. The Three Lions boss claims he is prepared to leave the most talented players at his disposal out of a bid for global glory in 2026 as “the team” is more important than any individual.

  9. Kane ‘not exciting’ but could become England GOAT

    Harry Kane is “not a player that is really exciting”, Matt Jansen has admitted to GOAL, but the prolific Bayern Munich striker could still end up going down in history as the England GOAT. One of the most consistent forwards on the planet is already the Three Lions’ all-time leading goalscorer and has their appearance record in his sights during the countdown to another World Cup.

  10. Piers Morgan reveals one sportsman he ranks higher than Ronaldo

    Piers Morgan, who has always been a loyal Cristiano Ronaldo supporter, has revealed the identity of the one sportsperson that he ranks higher than CR7. That honour goes to Australian cricket legend Shane Warne, with Morgan of the opinion that Ronaldo “would understand” having to play second fiddle to an iconic bowler that liked to make headlines on and off the field.

  1. Messi's nephew admits 'we have suffered a lot as a family'

    Lionel Messi’s nephew and godson, Tomas, admits that his family has “suffered a lot” down the years as a result of the Inter Miami superstar’s global celebrity status. After bursting onto the scene at Barcelona, it did not take Messi long to take up a standing alongside the greats. He is now an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and the most decorated player of all-time, with many highs and lows being experienced over the course of a remarkable career.

  2. New home? Why Arsenal could make shock Wembley switch

    Arsenal could be making a shock move to Wembley Stadium, much like north London rivals Tottenham once did, with brief relocation to the home of English football being considered as part of plans to upgrade Emirates Stadium. The Gunners are looking to expand their current base, with overall capacity being pushed beyond 70,000 and back above old adversaries Spurs.

  3. Gyokeres critics 'don't have a clue about football', says Sweden boss

    Viktor Gyokeres has been defended from critics that “don’t have a clue about football”, with Sweden manager Jon Dahl Tomasson of the opinion that his star striker remains in decent form. That is despite the prolific forward enduring a barren run at Arsenal on the back of his big-money move from Sporting over the summer. Gyokeres has failed to find the target through his last six appearances for the Gunners.

  4. Mourinho claims Benfica players suffering 'self-esteem crisis'

    Jose Mourinho claims that five of his Benfica players were suffering a “self-esteem crisis” ahead of a crunch clash with Porto, leading to the ‘Special One’ adopting a pragmatic mindset against his former employers. Mourinho makes no apologies for setting his side up to frustrate table-topping opposition, with an important point being taken from an uneventful goalless draw.

  5. Xavi reveals how ‘chosen one’ Yamal compares to Messi & Neymar

    Barcelona legend Xavi has explained how “chosen one” Lamine Yamal compares to Lionel Messi and Neymar, with the teenage wonderkid becoming a global superstar in his own right. That standing has been achieved at just 18 years of age, with Yamal - who has been compared to Argentine GOAT Messi on a regular basis - rewriting the history books as a La Liga and European Championship title winner.

  6. Kane makes honest admission on future PL and MLS transfers

    Harry Kane has reacted to speculation regarding transfers back to the Premier League or over to MLS, with the Bayern Munich striker prepared to have an “honest conversation” about his future in Germany. The England captain admits to being in no rush to leave his current surroundings, but has hinted at another new challenge being taken on at some point.