Chris Burton

Christian Pulisic has reached double figures again on the goal front for AC Milan this season, but the USMNT star has gone 12 games without finding the target and has drawn a complete blank since the turn of the calendar year. The American forward remains a talismanic presence for the Rossoneri, but club legend Massimo Ambrosini has told GOAL why end product has dried up in 2026.

Aston Villa are being backed to complete a memorable double in 2026, with Champions League qualification being secured through their Premier League standing and a first trophy win in 30 years. Former Villans defender Richard Dunne has told GOAL how landing major silverware and finishing strongly in top-flight competition can help to keep Unai Emery on board.

Could there be a Bruno trade at Manchester United this summer as club captain Fernandes heads for the exits and Brazilian star Guimaraes arrives from Newcastle? Questions continue to be asked of how long Fernandes will stick around at Old Trafford, but former Red Devils and Magpies striker Michael Owen has told GOAL why any thoughts of replacing the Portuguese playmaker should be shelved.

Sporting directors and global heads of football are not an entirely new concept, but they do generate plenty of questions when it comes to who should have the final say in any transfer business. Nottingham Forest are among those to have reignited that lively debate in 2025-26, as ex-Arsenal and Brazil star Edu is phased out at the City Ground, with ex-Reds striker Marlon Harewood discussing a very modern phenomenon with GOAL.

Federico Chiesa, who has endured a tough couple of years at Liverpool, is considered to be a “fragile guy” and has been told that a return to his native Italy could be the best option for all concerned. Struggles for fitness and regular game time continue to plague the Italian winger in England, with Massimino Ambrosini telling GOAL why a change of scenery in 2026 would make a lot of sense.

Manchester City have been informed as to who the “best replacement” for Pep Guardiola will be, while Vincent Kompany is being backed to return to the Etihad Stadium at some point. Former Blues captain Richard Dunne has told GOAL what the future could look like in a coaching capacity, with two highly-decorated managers set to see their respective contracts expire in 2027.

Trent Alexander-Arnold made his England debut in 2018 but has only taken his tally of caps to 34, with Gareth Southgate and Thomas Tuchel taking to snubbing Real Madrid’s former Liverpool defender on a regular basis. Michael Owen, who also spent time at Anfield and Santiago Bernabeu in his playing days, has told GOAL why the buccaneering full-back may have seen his 2026 World Cup dream dashed.

The Premier League have been warned that they would be “ruining their own competition” by hitting Manchester City with a 60-point penalty at this stage of the season, with a “stupid” Financial Fair Play (FFP) saga continuing to drag on. Potential sanctions in a 115-charge case are still being mooted, with Richard Dunne telling GOAL when a ruling will likely be delivered.

Thomas Tuchel has admitted that Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman has a “chance” of making England’s 2026 World Cup squad, but would an opportunity such as that be arriving too early for the 16-year-old forward? GOAL has put that question to Michael Owen, a man that knows all about making a senior breakthrough with the Three Lions as a teen sensation.

Emi Martinez appeared destined to leave Aston Villa in the summer of 2025, only to end up staying put, but could the World Cup-winning goalkeeper finally get his move 12 months on? The enigmatic Argentina international has remained an important part of Unai Emery’s plans in the West Midlands, but Emile Heskey has told GOAL why a sale is likely to be agreed in the next transfer window.

Ricardo Quaresma is tipping Cristiano Ronaldo to get his hands on a long-awaited World Cup trophy as Portugal international team-mates “want” the all-time great to “win that title”. At the age of 41, five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo is preparing to grace FIFA’s flagship event for a record-setting sixth time. He is desperate to emulate Lionel Messi by landing the ultimate prize.

Pop sensation Chappell Roan has responded to accusations from former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder Jorginho that disrespectful treatment on her part left the ex-Italy international’s stepdaughter in tears. Jorginho is now on the books of Flamengo in Brazil and has called out Roan’s security team for their heavy-handed approach to dealing with fans.

Bernardo Silva is clinging to the dream of joining Barcelona as a free agent this summer, but serious doubts are being cast over whether a deal will be done. The Portugal international playmaker is preparing to sever ties with Manchester City when his contract expires. He has offers from the Saudi Pro League, Italy and his homeland, but is holding out for an approach from Catalonia.

The latest instalment of the Tyne-Wear derby was halted early in the second half following allegations of racist abuse being aimed in the direction of Sunderland defender Lutsharel Geertruida. It is claimed that the Netherlands international was subjected to discriminatory taunts by members of the crowd - with those of a Newcastle persuasion considered to have been responsible.

Mick McCarthy has reignited his feud with Roy Keane as the ex-Republic of Ireland manager considers Manchester United’s legendary former midfielder to be a “c**t”. The pair endured an infamous falling out ahead of the 2002 World Cup that is now the subject of a film from Steve Coogan. Time does not appear to have been a good healer when it comes to historic divides.

Former Real Madrid defender Manu Hernando has explained how kicking Cristiano Ronaldo in training led to him temporarily being banished from Los Blancos’ first-team fold. As a product of the fabled Castilla academy system, Hernando was given plenty of opportunities in which to work with senior stars. On one occasion, he delivered a “cruel” blow to Portuguese GOAT Ronaldo.

Fights broke out among supporters in the vicinity of St James’ Park ahead of Newcastle’s derby date with arch-rivals Sunderland. Two old adversaries are locking horns again in Premier League competition and there was always going to be an edge to proceedings, with local bragging rights at stake alongside precious points, but some fans allowed passions to get the better of them.

Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes admits that Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has been his “toughest opponent” down the years, with the pair establishing a bitter rivalry. While they have clashed on a regular basis in Premier League action, there is plenty of respect between the duo. They are poised to lock horns again in the 2026 Carabao Cup final.