Manchester United have reportedly made initial contact with Antonio Conte as they prepare for life after Michael Carrick. The Red Devils have endured a dismal start to the 2026-27 season, prompting club chiefs to line up the experienced Italian manager should they decide to make a change.
Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has offered warm praise for Manchester United rival Senne Lammens ahead of their Nations League showdown in Rome. However, the Italian stopper insists he hopes the Belgian goalkeeper's progress holds off until after Friday night's crucial international battle at the Stadio Olimpico.
Xabi Alonso has boldly claimed that Chelsea striker Joao Pedro can be likened to one-time Real Madrid ‘Galactico’ Karim Benzema. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink agrees with that assessment, and the former Blues star has explained - during an exclusive interview with GOAL - four qualities that the Brazil international shares with the legendary French goalscorer.
Wales midfielder Ethan Ampadu admitted the squad were left frustrated after falling to a narrow 1-0 Nations League defeat against Portugal in Lisbon. Craig Bellamy's men battled determinedly throughout the contest but were undone by Joao Felix's deflected first-half strike, leaving the Leeds United star calling for higher standards going forward.
Federico Chiesa came incredibly close to leaving Liverpool for Inter during the summer transfer window, according to new reports. A potential return to Serie A ultimately collapsed due to a broken transfer domino effect involving Roma, leaving the frozen-out forward stranded on Merseyside.
Arsenal face an anxious wait after Kai Havertz was forced off with a suspected hamstring injury during Germany’s 1-1 draw with the Netherlands. The setback marred Jurgen Klopp’s first match in charge of the national team, which also saw Jamal Musiala withdraw before kick-off.
Former Newcastle United striker Andy Carroll has made a shocking revelation about his record-breaking transfer to Liverpool, admitting he desperately hoped to fail his medical. In his new autobiography, the English forward opens up on how he felt forced out of his boyhood club and the struggles he faced with his lifestyle after securing a massive pay rise at Anfield.
Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has confessed that his time in the dugout may be over unless one of his former clubs comes calling. The iconic ex-striker, who has transitioned into a successful punditry career, named only two vacancies that could tempt him back to the touchline.
Cole Palmer does not “play games” and will be nursing an injury, Chelsea legend Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has told GOAL, with the Blues star facing England withdrawal questions. Having been snubbed by Thomas Tuchel for 2026 World Cup duty, the Stamford Bridge talisman has ruled himself out of action after earning a UEFA Nations League recall.
Manchester United boast a “fantastic attack”, Michael Owen has told GOAL, but more transfer “surgery” may be required as head coach Michael Carrick continues his experiment with a ‘false nine’ approach. Matheus Cunha, who is more of a deep-lying forward, has been leading the line this season ahead of established central striker Benjamin Sesko.
Since his abrupt departure from Borussia Dortmund last January, Aaron Anselmino has been going through a difficult time. At present, too, the 21-year-old centre-back is completely out of favour at his parent club Chelsea.
Reece James and Emi Martinez have been set a leadership challenge at Chelsea, with Frank Lebouef telling GOAL that the Blues have become “too nice” as a collective. He wants to see senior figures, especially those donning the captain’s armband, ask questions of those around them when individual standards are allowed to slip - with clean sheets proving hard to come by at present.
Gabriel Martinelli opted for a radical change of scenery this summer, snubbing interest from fellow Premier League clubs to complete a lucrative move to Al-Hilal. The Brazilian winger brought his long-standing association with Arsenal to an end after being informed he was surplus to requirements by Mikel Arteta.
Juventus are reportedly plotting a January transfer move for Manchester City full-back Rayan Ait-Nouri following his lack of regular playing time this season. The Serie A giants have already contacted the defender's entourage as they look to capitalise on his frustrating situation at the Etihad Stadium.
In an era where superstar No.10s are all the rage - with Bruno Fernandes, Cole Palmer and Rayan Cherki among those strutting their stuff in the Premier League - are Liverpool lacking “magic” in that department? Ray Houghton has answered that question for GOAL, with the Reds legend addressing the ongoing struggles being endured by £116 million ($154m) playmaker Florian Wirtz.
Liverpool's high-profile move for Florian Wirtz last summer is being labelled a total disaster as former Reds star Didi Hamann suggests the club should prepare to cut their losses. The German international has failed to live up to his massive price tag, sparking intense debate over whether he will ever adapt to the demands of the Premier League.
Emile Heskey has, in an exclusive interview with GOAL, named Celtic boss Martin O’Neill and Liverpool icon Gerard Houllier as the best managers that he worked under. The ex- England international, who spent time with Leicester and at Anfield in his playing days, is now helping to find potential Premier League coaches of the future as part of an inspiring new enterprise.
Harvey Elliott’s quest to revitalise his career away from Anfield has hit another significant roadblock during his loan spell with Valencia. The Liverpool midfielder, who joined the Spanish side in search of regular minutes, is now facing intense scrutiny over his physical condition and future in La Liga.
Barcelona and Real Madrid are locked in a fierce transfer battle to sign 15-year-old Manchester United wonderkid JJ Gabriel. While Los Blancos have presented a more lucrative financial offer, the Catalan giants hope to lure the teenager with a rapid pathway to first-team football.
Arsenal starlet Myles Lewis-Skelly has raised eyebrows by naming a current Tottenham Hotspur player as the most difficult opponent he has encountered in the Premier League. The 19-year-old utility man, who has enjoyed a meteoric rise under Mikel Arteta, bypassed the division's established superstars to highlight a rival from across north London.
Ibrahima Konate has been forced to withdraw from Zinedine Zidane's first France squad after suffering a knee injury in training. The Real Madrid centre-back returns to his club immediately, with Manchester United youngster Leny Yoro receiving his first senior call-up ahead of the Nations League clash against Turkey.
An in-house goal “competition” at Chelsea between Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers is inevitable, Carlton Cole has told GOAL, with there benefits to be found in the “banter” that two close friends are indulging in. Having been reunited at Stamford Bridge, the ex-Manchester City colleagues are determined to outperform one another in 2026-27.
Aston Villa have opened contract talks with in-form attacking midfielder Emi Buendia as the star nears the end of his current deal. Unai Emery’s side are determined to secure the Argentina international’s future following a summer of high-profile player departures from Villa Park.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has launched a fierce defense of his international reputation, branding claims that he influenced the Netherlands' tactical setup at the World Cup as "completely baseless." The veteran defender hit back at suggestions that he was responsible for a shift in formation that contributed to the Oranje's disappointing exit.
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