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. MLS urged to ditch Messi playbook when Argentine GOAT retires

    MLS is being urged to ditch its Lionel Messi playbook when the Argentine GOAT retires, with the division being advised to focus more on youth development. Global superstars have been crucial to the development and promotion of domestic soccer in the United States, but Giuseppe Rossi has told GOAL why a culture shift needs to take place in order for the game to truly thrive.

  2. Lampard & Coventry get ‘disaster’ PL promotion warning

    Frank Lampard and Coventry City have been warned that it could be a “disaster” if they fail to secure automatic promotion into the Premier League this season, given how dominant they have been in the Championship at times. Sky Blues legend Gary McAllister has told GOAL why a “big decision” in the dugout is paying off for a club that has been out of the top-flight for 25 years.

  3. Ronaldo warned Messi link-up at Inter Miami would be 'weird'

    Cristiano Ronaldo has been warned that a link-up with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami would be “weird”, but the Portuguese is being urged to rekindle his rivalry with a familiar foe in MLS. Giuseppe Rossi, who once played alongside CR7 at Manchester United, has told GOAL why the evergreen frontman still has plenty of football left in him as questions are asked of his future at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.

  4. Race To The Top: KSI and Dagenham confirm documentary

    KSI has, following his stunning move into football ownership, confirmed that Dagenham & Redbridge will be delivering a ‘Race To The Top’ documentary. Said production will initially be released on the social media star’s YouTube channel, allowing it to reach 17 million subscribers worldwide. The show will become a rival to the popular ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ series overseen by Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac in North Wales.

  5. Explained: Leeds commodity worth more than any transfer

    Leeds United legend Gary McAllister has explained to GOAL why the atmosphere generated at Elland Road could be worth more to the Whites than any transfer deal. Premier League status for 2026-27 is not yet guaranteed in West Yorkshire, but a passionate group of supporters are doing their bit to help ensure that Daniel Farke’s side get over that line.

  6. Has Mbappe eclipsed Henry? ‘Generation’ argument explained

    Kylian Mbappe is a World Cup-winning global superstar in his own right, but can the Real Madrid ‘Galactico’ be considered to have eclipsed the legend of fellow Frenchman Thierry Henry? Jeremie Aliadiere - a former Arsenal team-mate of another ‘Invincible’ in north London - has explained why all-time lists will always be influenced by generational favouritism.

  7. Who tops Salah? Egyptian King ranked second on Liverpool list

    Mohamed Salah has been ranked second on Liverpool’s all-time list of Premier League superstars, with only Steven Gerrard considered to sit above the ‘Egyptian King’ of Anfield. Reds cult hero Gary McAllister has told GOAL why a modern day icon deserves a fitting finale to his Merseyside fairytale after making an “outstanding” contribution to the collective cause.

  8. USMNT brutally told why Pulisic & top stars won't stay in MLS

    MLS has been told why retaining home-grown stars such as Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie will remain impossible in the foreseeable future, with “real football” being played in Europe. Giuseppe Rossi - who spent time in England, Italy, Spain and the United States during his playing career - has told GOAL why top American talent will continue to fly the domestic nest.

  9. USMNT told talk of winning World Cup 'won't be fair at all'

    The United States has been warned that talk of the USMNT winning a home World Cup in 2026 “won’t be fair at all”, with a more realistic example of “huge success” being pointed out. Giuseppe Rossi, who qualified to represent the land of his birth but opted to play for Italy, has - while filling a role as vice-chairman and head of soccer at the New York Cosmos - given GOAL his assessment of the so-called ‘Golden Generation’.

  10. Premier League manager banned from driving for six months

    Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has been handed a six-month driving ban after being caught speeding in his BMW when passing through a 20mph zone. The Premier League tactician, who has confirmed that he will be leaving Selhurst Park when his contract expires in the summer, will not be able to step behind the wheel again for several weeks after accumulating more than 12 points on his license.

  1. Maguire allegedly refused to pay £50k bribe to Greek police

    Manchester United defender Harry Maguire allegedly refused to pay a £50,000 bribe to Greek police that would make his “Mykonos assault case go away”. The England international has been handed a 15-month suspended sentence after being found guilty of non-serious assault, resisting arrest and attempted bribery. The incident in question took place during a family holiday in August 2020.

  2. Tuchel urged to snub Palmer & pick England ‘world-beater’

    Thomas Tuchel has been urged to snub the likes of Cole Palmer and Phil Foden by picking “world-beater” Marcus Rashford on the left wing for England at the 2026 World Cup. Former Three Lions star Lee Sharpe has told GOAL the Manchester United academy graduate, who is currently on loan at Barcelona, possesses qualities that his rivals for an international starting berth do not have.

  3. Does Messi care about Ronaldo’s 1,000-goal target?

    Cristiano Ronaldo continues to chase down 1,000 competitive career goals, but will eternal rival Lionel Messi have the same target in mind? Portuguese superstar CR7 appears destined to get there first, as he turns out for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, and a former team-mate of the Manchester United legend has told GOAL why Inter Miami talisman Messi may care more about Ronaldo’s exploits than he likes to let on.

  4. Arsenal Invincible claims NOBODY can do better job than Arteta

    Arsenal are being advised to keep faith with Mikel Arteta regardless of what happens in their 2025-26 trophy bids, with former Invincibles squad member Jeremie Aliadiere telling GOAL why nobody could do a better job at Emirates Stadium. The Gunners are back in the hunt for the Premier League, as part of a quadruple quest, with their manager determined to turn potential into something more tangible.

  5. Mbappe's 'longevity' to match Ronaldo & Messi questioned

    Kylian Mbappe has seen his “longevity” questioned, with doubts cast over whether the Real Madrid and France superstar can emulate certain achievements of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Jeremie Aliadiere is a big fan of his fellow countryman, but has told GOAL why chasing down the target of 100 international goals may prove difficult for the most fearsome of forwards.