Chris Burton

Liverpool are expected to be active in the summer transfer window, with attacking reinforcements required at Anfield, and Michael Owen has told GOAL why “brilliant player” Anthony Gordon could be a shrewd investment. The England international, who is currently on Newcastle’s books, came through the ranks at Everton but grew up as a Reds supporter.

Paul Parker has told GOAL that “UEFA want Manchester United in the Champions League final”, but will the Red Devils hit that target across the next 10 seasons after enduring a 15-year barren run? One of the biggest clubs in world football have not graced the grandest showpiece in European competition since 2011, with a humbling fall from grace being suffered.

Southampton have seen the likes of Sadio Mane and Virgil van Dijk pass through St Mary’s, but could Shea Charles - who has already been compared to Jude Bellingham while heading down a similar career path to Morgan Rogers - become their latest superstar? Saints legend Shane Long has attempted to answer that question during an exclusive interview with GOAL.

Chelsea stand accused of “building a very ugly house” on the back of their surprising decision to sack Enzo Maresca, with Paul Parker admitting to GOAL that said call may represent the Blues’ biggest mistake. Two major honours were delivered to Stamford Bridge in 2025, but they are now in danger of going trophyless in 2026 and missing out on Champions League qualification.

Kyogo Furuhashi looked to be a shrewd signing for Birmingham when moving to St Andrew’s in 2025, but the former Celtic star has become a £10 million ($14m) flop for the Blues. Don Goodman has explained to GOAL why the Japan international’s struggles have come as a surprise, with a big-money return to British football going “horribly wrong” for the three-goal forward.

Chelsea have been told that they should be worried about the transfer talk that continues to rage around Cole Palmer, with the Manchester United-linked playmaker considered to have “lost” his spark and adopted the “face of a card shark”. Ex-Blues defender Paul Parker has told GOAL why exit rumours at Stamford Bridge come as no surprise due to the way Todd Boehly and Co are running the club.

Vinicius Junior continues to generate plenty of lively discussion at Real Madrid, but Michael Owen has told GOAL why the Brazilian superstar is “so big and so good” that only “two teams” could afford to put a transfer deal in place. The South American forward has become a divisive character in world football, but Owen doubts that he will trade Santiago Bernabeu for another landing spot in Europe or the Saudi Pro League.

Michael Carrick is in line to land Manchester United’s managerial job on a permanent basis, with Paul Parker informing GOAL of the key decision that has allowed the Red Devils’ interim boss to put himself in that position. Reins were handed to Carrick in mid-January, with the expectation being that Champions League qualification will earn him a full-time contract.

Newcastle have been warned off taking a huge gamble on Jose Mourinho, with Michael Owen explaining to GOAL why Eddie Howe sack talk at St James’ Park has left him baffled. The Magpies are, in the midst of a disappointing 2025-26 campaign, reported to be considering a change in their dugout. Former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham boss Mourinho has seen a Premier League return speculated on.

Alex Iwobi has explained what it is like to face all-time greats Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, with the former having an “aura” while the latter boasts a “force field”. Speaking on the Beast Mode On Podcast, former Arsenal midfielder Iwobi - who is now on the books of Fulham - has lifted the lid on how he became the unfortunate star of a Messi-themed compilation reel.

Alex Iwobi has explained what makes Nigeria international team-mate Victor Osimhen special, with the Galatasaray striker so determined to be a world-class operator that he is “cheating just to win” in training. Speaking on the Beast Mode On Podcast, Fulham playmaker Iwobi has also revealed what it is like having legendary ex-Paris Saint-Germain, Bolton and Super Eagles star Jay-Jay Okocha as an uncle.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac are being backed to break the bank again at Wrexham, with a new transfer record expected to be set during the summer window of 2026. If the Red Dragons were to secure promotion into the Premier League, then that bar would definitely be raised. Don Goodman has told GOAL why history in North Wales is likely to be made regardless.

Former Nottingham Forest captain Henri Lansbury has explained to GOAL why the Reds boast a home game atmosphere that Premier League rivals such as West Ham could never match. The City Ground has been rocking since promotion back into the big time was secured - across domestic and European competition - with a key factor in the creation of a hostile environment being explained.

France legend Marcel Desailly has told GOAL that Kylian Mbappe will have “had nightmares” about Paris Saint-Germain winning the Champions League without him and Ousmane Dembele landing the Ballon d’Or. Mbappe headed to Real Madrid in a bid to collect those honours, but has been warned that a trophy drought in Spain could last up to four years.

Tottenham continue to teeter on the brink of relegation disaster in the Premier League, with Brad Friedel telling GOAL what the “minimum” time frame for a return to Champions League contention would be if the worst were to happen in 2026. Championship football could be on the agenda before elite European competition returns to north London, with a remarkable fall from grace being endured.

England manager Thomas Tuchel is being urged to add Morgan Gibbs-White to his World Cup plans as the Nottingham Forest No.10 offers “something different” to the likes of Cole Palmer and Phil Foden. Competition for places is fierce in the Three Lions’ playmaking department, but former Reds captain Henri Lansbury has told GOAL why MGW deserves to get the nod.

Tom Brady and Birmingham have been warned that they “missed a trick” in failing to force their way into promotion contention this season, although more money is expected to be spent in chasing the Premier League dream. The Blues landed the League One title last season, beating Wrexham to top spot, but Don Goodman has explained to GOAL why 2025-26 has been something of a disappointment.

Elliot Anderson has become a man in demand, with former Nottingham Forest captain Henri Lansbury telling GOAL why a midfielder that already boasts “a bit of magic” can go on to become a “shining light”. Anderson is a key cog in the City Ground machine, and seemingly destined to form part of England’s squad at the 2026 World Cup, but there is the promise of even more to come from the talented 23-year-old.