Chris Burton

Liverpool have lost Hugo Ekitike to injury, Mohamed Salah is preparing to depart and Alexander Isak has endured fitness issues, but Michael Owen has explained to GOAL why Robert Lewandowski should not be a short-term fix at Anfield. The prolific Polish striker is preparing to sever ties with Barcelona as a free agent, and has never graced the Premier League, but the Reds are considered to have more pressing issues to address.

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.

Ryan Yates is often Nottingham Forest’s tormentor in chief, while donning the captain’s armband, and former Reds skipper Henri Lansbury has told GOAL why dark arts in football are to be saluted. Every club boasts a player that divides opinion among fan bases, with characters that are loved by home supporters positively revelling in their ability to rile opponents.

Anybody plotting a summer raid on Sunderland for “unique” forward Brian Brobbey and highly-rated goalkeeper Robin Roefs - with Bayern Munich and Chelsea said to be in those respective hunts - have been warned that “big money” will be required in order to tempt the Black Cats into selling. Don Goodman has told GOAL why exciting arrivals at the Stadium of Light should be considered more likely than any high-profile departures.

Mateus Mane has been linked with Manchester United and Liverpool, but Don Goodman has told GOAL why the Wolves wonderkid is not yet a £50 million ($68m) player. At 18 years of age, the fleet-footed forward has made quite the impression with Premier League strugglers during a breakthrough campaign. An expensive transfer flop at Everton is, however, being used as a warning to Mane when it comes to important decisions on his future.

Chelsea have been advised to find a goalkeeping upgrade on Robert Sanchez that “doesn’t make mistakes”, with Marcel Desailly telling GOAL why change is required between the sticks at Stamford Bridge. The Blues have struggled to find a reliable No.1 in recent times, with it possible that they will dip into the transfer market again this summer in a bid to right that wrong.

Wrexham’s sights remain firmly locked on the Premier League, but Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac have been informed that the Red Dragons are “outsiders” and “underdogs” to hit that target in 2026. Following a record-breaking run of three successive promotions, Don Goodman has explained to GOAL why the Welsh outfit should be happy with their efforts if a fourth falls agonisingly out of reach.

Nottingham Forest legend Stan Collymore has told GOAL how Callum Hudson-Odoi can go about rediscovering his lost spark. The former Chelsea winger has earned trust from four different managers at the City Ground this season, but goals and assists have been in short supply. A “mental” block is considered to be impacting efforts to find top form, with the talented 25-year-old being urged to go back to “basics”.

Mason Greenwood continues to generate plenty of transfer talk, but Marseille legend Marcel Desailly has told GOAL why the English forward would only be good enough for Aston Villa - not Arsenal or Manchester City - if he returned to the Premier League. Leading sides across Europe have been linked with the goalscoring winger, with a move away from France in 2026 being mooted.

Declan Rice, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are all considered to be Ballon d’Or-worthy talents, but who will be the next Englishman to win the prestigious Golden Ball? Former Three Lions midfielder Gareth Barry has delivered his verdict to GOAL, with Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid superstars eager to be recognised as the best player on the planet.

Chelsea legend Marcel Desailly has told GOAL why at least three new signings will be required at Stamford Bridge in the next transfer market, with key areas of the Blues’ squad needing to be addressed. Huge quantities of time and money have been invested in youthful additions across recent windows, with one eye on the future, but Premier League heavyweights are being advised to alter their approach and focus more on the present.