Aston Villa’s forced refresh during the summer transfer window of 2026 may prove to be a “blessing in disguise”, Stephen Warnock has told GOAL, with Liverpool considered to have been trumped in one notable department. Unai Emery has had to rebuild much of his Europa League-winning side, but plenty of pedigree and potential has been added to the collective ranks.
Amid the speculation suggesting that Neymar could reform Barcelona’s fabled ‘MSN’ strike partnership with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, Gus Poyet has told GOAL “there is a rule for MLS and one for Inter Miami”. The former Uruguay international is among those keen to see if a legendary fellow countryman will be joined in the United States next season by a Brazilian icon.
Bayern Munich will not be afraid of mounting interest in Michael Olise, Bacary Sagna has told GOAL, as the Bundesliga giants “don’t shake when they see money”. The talented France international is said to have attracted admiring glances from Real Madrid, among others, but those at the Allianz Arena have no intention of sanctioning a big-money sale.
Emi Martinez is still in the process of finding his feet at Chelsea, but Robert Huth has told GOAL why the World Cup-winning goalkeeper’s “win at all costs” mentality will ultimately serve the Blues well. The Argentina international has been taken to Stamford Bridge as an upgrade on Robert Sanchez, as he boasts the kind of “character” that his shot-stopping predecessor lacked.
Cristiano Ronaldo transitioning into the Hollywood movie industry cannot be ruled out, Shaka Hislop has told GOAL, even if the Portuguese GOAT finds himself operating as “Vinnie Jones’ sidekick”. At 41 years of age, the Al-Nassr superstar is heading towards retirement and speculation is rife regarding what he will do next - with it possible that the big screen awaits.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was snubbed by Thomas Tuchel for 2026 World Cup duty, so will the Real Madrid right-back figure for England again during the German tactician’s tenure? Ex-Three Lions defender Stephen Warnock has attempted to answer that question for GOAL, with his fellow Merseyside native being advised to brace himself for more bad news.
Enzo Maresca will, as successor to Pep Guardiola, be under immediate pressure to deliver trophies in 2026-27, Dietmar Hamann has told GOAL. The Italian tactician has made a bright start to his reign at the Etihad Stadium, but a man that once played Premier League football in that venue is not convinced that the 46-year-old will be a “successful Manchester City manager”.
Lionel Messi has retired from international football with Argentina, but will he head in a similar direction at club level? The South American GOAT is tied to a contract at Inter Miami through 2028 and former MLS star Shaka Hislop has told GOAL why the evergreen 39-year-old is likely to honour that agreement before taking on a future ambassadorial role.
Alexis Sanchez will need to “adapt to the cold” in Quebec, former Montreal star Bacary Sagna has admitted to GOAL, but the ex-Barcelona, Arsenal and Manchester United forward is being backed to star in MLS alongside Lionel Messi and Co. The veteran Chilean attacker has become the latest household name to go chasing the dream in North America.
Newcastle have endured a tough summer of sales, as they comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), but former Magpies star Shaka Hislop is among those to have been left questioning why the billions of Saudi owners are not allowed to be spent. He has, during an exclusive interview with GOAL, suggested that the Premier League needs to revise its monetary model.
Leeds have been advised to take inspiration from Manchester City and Erling Haaland when it comes to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, with Whites legend Gordon Strachan telling GOAL why he is concerned about the Elland Road No.9’s workload. No striking additions were made to Daniel Farke’s ranks during the summer transfer window, with another deadline having passed.
Could the new tactical system implemented by Chelsea impact Brazilian wonderkid Estevao? Blues legend Gus Poyet has answered that question for GOAL, with the Uruguayan admitting that another exciting winger at Stamford Bridge could end up heading down a similar path to former academy graduate Callum Hudson-Odoi - as he is asked to fill an unfamiliar role.
Bradley Barcola was heavily linked with Arsenal during the summer transfer window, but ultimately ended up at Liverpool after completing a £123 million ($167m) move from Paris Saint-Germain. That deal has raised a few eyebrows, and concerns, with ex-Gunners and France defender Bacary Sagna discussing the financial state of football during an exclusive interview with GOAL.
Tottenham have taken a “big gamble” on Mykhailo Mudryk, Gus Poyet has told GOAL, with a man that is returning after almost two years out of action boasting just “one quality”. That searing pace has served the Ukraine international well over the course of his career, but can it be put to good use in north London after crossing the English capital on loan from Chelsea?
Virgil van Dijk is into the final year of his contract at Liverpool, meaning that free agency will be hit in the summer of 2027. Do the Reds have a succession plan in place for their defensive king? Stephen Warnock has admitted to GOAL that they might, with talented youngsters Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni ready to fill roles of crown princes at Anfield.
Kylian Mbappe is only a “top three” player in the world at present, Bacary Sagna has told GOAL, with the Real Madrid and France superstar expected to miss out on Ballon d’Or recognition again in 2026. Harry Kane is a leading contender to land that prize, but Sagna has snubbed the Bayern Munich striker when revealing his pick for Golden Ball glory.
Gus Poyet has reacted to Chelsea’s £125 million ($169m) sale of Enzo Fernandez during an exclusive interview with GOAL. The Blues legend is concerned that a suitable replacement for the World Cup-winning Argentine was not acquired on transfer deadline day, with the Uruguayan asking - amid new roles for Reece James and Malo Gusto - whether “all right-backs” are now going to play “as centre midfielders”.
Liverpool will need a new No.1 in 2027, as long-serving goalkeeper Alisson heads towards free agency. Did they have a perfect successor to the Brazil international on their books, only to let him leave? Stephen Warnock has suggested to GOAL that may have been the case, with the former Reds defender assessing a change between the sticks that will be difficult to get right.
Rayan Cherki boasts the ability to become Manchester City’s new Kevin De Bruyne, but Bacary Sagna has explained to GOAL why his fellow countryman is more of a Santi Cazorla clone. Ex-France international defender Sagna worked alongside a Spanish schemer at Arsenal and with a Belgian magician during his time at the Etihad Stadium.
Alexander Isak has become a “huge problem” for Liverpool, former Reds star Stephen Warnock has told GOAL, with the £125 million ($169m) striker “not at the races” and looking disinterested. The most expensive player in British football has failed to make the desired impact at Anfield, with it being suggested that he is struggling to handle the “weight” of an iconic shirt.
Mohamed Salah has been used as a warning for Manchester United, with Gordon Strachan explaining to GOAL why the Red Devils cannot bow to the contract demands of talismanic captain Bruno Fernandes and “give him everything he wants”. Fresh terms for the Portuguese are being lined up at Old Trafford, but he will soon turn 32 and should not be given a blank cheque.
Ryan Gravenberch flopped at Bayern Munich, before being billed as the Premier League’s best midfielder during Liverpool’s title triumph in 2024-25. Where does the Netherlands international stand now? Former Reds midfielder Dietmar Hamann has answered that question for GOAL, with the all-action 24-year-old considered to be an important cog in the Anfield machine.
Gordon Strachan has told GOAL there is “not enough money in the world” for him to consider emulating Martin O’Neill, with the former Celtic boss in awe of the man still calling shots at Parkhead. Enigmatic Northern Irishman O’Neill is, having landed a permanent contract on the back of a Scottish Premiership title triumph, working towards his 75th birthday.
The Portugal international spoke exclusively to the Beast Mode On Podcast about the work he has put in to become one of the Premier League's finest midfielders
Marcus Rashford cannot live on past achievements and needs to become a “now player” for Manchester United, Gordon Strachan has told GOAL. The Old Trafford academy graduate, who has been absorbed back into the Red Devils’ fold following a loan spell at Barcelona, has been challenged to provide much-needed assistance for talismanic club captain Bruno Fernandes.
Brighton have enjoyed a meteoric rise under the ownership of Tony Bloom, with ex-Seagulls boss Mark McGhee explaining to GOAL why a "mathematical genius” intends to be much more than a “generous benefactor”. Celebrations of a major trophy win have never been enjoyed on the south coast, but the intention is to make history in the not too distant future.
Harry Kane has come close to matching Robert Lewandowski’s single season Bundesliga goal record, but Dietmar Hamann has explained to GOAL why making history on that front may be a case of Mission Impossible for Bayern Munich’s prolific striker. The England international has reached 36 efforts on a couple of occasions, but is still some way short of a remarkable milestone.
Fresh from winning the PFA Young Player of the Year award, Manchester City breakout star Nico O'Reilly has reflected on his rapid rise to the top of English football. Speaking exclusively on the Beast Mode On Podcast, the versatile left-back shared the brutal but necessary advice he received from former manager Pep Guardiola, while also opening up about the personal sacrifices required to make the grade at the Etihad Stadium.
Cole Palmer has his smile back alongside close friend Morgan Rogers at Chelsea, with Robert Huth responding to surprising transfer talk by telling GOAL: “Why would he go to Man U?” The England international was seeing a return to his roots in the North West speculated on at one stage, but he is now fully committed to a friendly battle for goals and assists at Stamford Bridge.
Speaking exclusively on the Beast Mode Podcast after winning the PFA Players' Player of the Year award, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has opened up about his unlikely footballing roots. The Portuguese playmaker revealed that he actually began his career operating as a centre-back, before sharing a hilarious training-ground story about testing his sprinting limits against powerful Red Devils team-mate Benjamin Sesko.
