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Jordan Pickford has stated his desire to take a penalty for England, but would the Everton goalkeeper be picked to step up in a shootout if a 2026 World Cup fixture went the distance? Former Three Lions shot-stopper David James has told GOAL what Thomas Tuchel’s stance is likely to be, with history dictating that plans do need to be drawn up in that department.

Jude Bellingham has been told there will be “no hiding place” for him in the Real Madrid circus as Jose Mourinho returns as ringmaster, with ex-England international Peter Reid telling GOAL what the all-action midfielder needs to prove. A place has been found in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup plans despite a testing campaign at club level being endured in 2025-26.

Tottenham have been told how many transfers they need to give Roberto De Zerbi complete authority over in the summer window, with Brad Friedel telling GOAL that Spurs can enjoy a “quick resurrection” back into the Premier League’s top six. Such a transformation will, however, only occur if the man in the dugout is allowed to refresh an underperforming squad as he sees fit.

Former West Ham and Sunderland defender Anton Ferdinand joins Adebayo Akinfenwa on the latest episode of the Beast Mode On Podcast. The 41-year-old discusses his journey through professional football and the experiences that shaped him both on and off the pitch. From coming through the ranks with the Hammers and establishing himself in the Premier League, Ferdinand reflects on the highs and challenges of life at the highest level of the game.

Pep Guardiola is out of work, after leaving Manchester City, but should his sudden availability concern England boss Thomas Tuchel - a man under pressure to deliver at the 2026 World Cup? Former Three Lions star Michael Owen has given two reasons to GOAL why a German tactician filling the most demanding of roles should not fret about the shadow cast by a highly-decorated Catalan coach.

Kylian Mbappe is learning how to share the limelight, Frank Leboeuf has told GOAL, with the World Cup-winning Frenchman boasting similar main character energy to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Those qualities are currently illuminating La Liga and the 2026 World Cup, but could they pass through the English Premier League at some point?

Micky van de Ven can “level up” and become “one of the best in the world”, Toby Alderweireld has told GOAL, with the Dutch defender being informed that he does not need to leave Tottenham in order to join the elite. Speculation is raging around the Netherlands international in north London, with serious questions being asked of his future as another transfer window prepares to swing open.

Manchester City have been warned that they will find it “hard” to keep Rodri if Real Madrid come calling, with Peter Reid telling GOAL why more prominent figures are likely to follow Pep Guardiola out of the Etihad Stadium. A summer of change is on the cards, with it possible that a Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder will form part of what could become an elaborate refresh.

Arne Slot has followed Mohamed Salah through the exits at Liverpool, but would the latter have agreed to stay and see out his contract if he knew that the former was going to be sacked? Danny Murphy is not convinced that was ever the case, with the ex-Reds midfielder telling GOAL how the Egyptian King’s powers had faded to the point that a fresh start was probably the best option for all concerned.

Premier League heavyweights such as Arsenal and Liverpool gave Barcelona a free run at Anthony Gordon when exit doors opened up at Newcastle, with Chris Waddle explaining to GOAL why the England international ended up in Catalunya rather than north London. An €80 million (£69m/$92m) transfer has taken Gordon away from his homeland and onto the books of La Liga champions.

Rayan Cherki has been earning plenty of plaudits at Manchester City, with Frank Leboeuf telling GOAL why the mercurial playmaker deserves to be compared with Zinedine Zidane - the GOAT of French football. That is some billing, but two magical midfielders are considered to share a number of traits - including on-field skill sets and off-pitch ticket-selling qualities.

Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has told GOAL why he is “a little bit worried” about Alexander Isak, with the £125 million ($167m) striker under pressure to deliver during his second season at Anfield. The most expensive player in British football has been warned that his price tag will count for nothing if he offers little return on that record-shattering investment.

Harry Kane has been urged to ignore the familiar debate that his role in England’s team continues to generate, with Chris Waddle telling GOAL why the record-shattering striker should be granted complete freedom to do whatever he wants. The Three Lions’ talismanic captain does pose their greatest goal threat, but there is no pressure on him to operate in and around the penalty area at all times.

Richarlison is likely to become “collateral damage” at Tottenham during the summer transfer window, Danny Murphy has told GOAL, with the Brazilian striker expected to be moved on as part of Roberto De Zerbi’s refresh. Comings and goings aplenty are being mooted in north London, with Spurs seeking a positive response to two relegation-threatened campaigns.

Michael Olise is considered to be “simply the best” right winger in world football at the moment, with Frank Leboeuf telling GOAL why the Bayern Munich star can currently be ranked above Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal. A French World Cup winner from 1998 is hoping to see a talismanic performer in the present inspire Les Bleus to global glory in 2026.

In a GOAL exclusive, USWNT legend Alex Morgan backs the U.S. men to make noise at the World Cup and shares her advice for handling the pressure.

Thomas Tuchel has “done nothing” so far as England manager, Michael Owen has told GOAL, with World Cup “par” for the Three Lions being explained after breezing through another “waste of time” qualification campaign. Another bid for global glory is about to be opened, with the man calling shots from the dugout already being awarded a contract extension.

Trent Alexander-Arnold will have had “sleepless nights” and the odd regret since his move to Real Madrid, but Danny Murphy has told GOAL that he would be “gobsmacked” to see the Liverpool academy graduate back at Anfield. Questions are being asked of the England international’s future following a tough debut season in Spain and failure to secure a spot in Thomas Tuchel’s 2026 World Cup squad.

Marcus Rashford would appear to be the perfect replacement for Anthony Gordon at Newcastle, as one England star heads to Barcelona and another potentially departs Catalunya, but Chris Waddle has told GOAL that the Manchester United-owned forward may be done with the Premier League. Questions are being asked of whether the 28-year-old has fallen out of love with top-flight competition in his homeland.

Jose Mourinho is heading back to Real Madrid, but is he worth the “rubbish” that comes with him and does the ‘Special One’ still guarantee success? Ex-Blancos star Michael Owen has, during an exclusive interview with GOAL, delivered his assessment of a surprise appointment at Santiago Bernabeu and predicted whether the enigmatic Portuguese will last a full season in the most demanding of roles.

Bukayo Saka has registered just 13 Premier League goals for Arsenal across the last two campaigns, with ex-England winger Chris Waddle telling GOAL where the Gunners forward needs to improve - with Mohamed Salah being held up as inspiration. There has never been any doubting Saka’s creative instincts, but his game could be taken to another level if end product were to be delivered in greater numbers.

Toby Alderweireld has told GOAL why Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku is “pure football”, with the tricky forward considered to be a “dangerous” operator that can illuminate the 2026 World Cup with Belgium. Fans across the globe are looking for creative performers of that ilk to get them off their seats as the best players on the planet descend on North America and prepare to compete for ultimate glory.

Darren Anderton has told GOAL that Harry Kane “still has a few years left” in him, with England’s record goalscorer bar expected to be set pretty “high” for those that follow in the most illustrious of footsteps. The current Three Lions captain and talismanic No.9 has 79 international efforts to his name at present, and is showing no sign of slowing down.

Danny Murphy has explained to GOAL why Liam Rosenior, on the back of his Chelsea flop, would be “too much of a risk” for Fulham to offer the 41-year-old an immediate return to Premier League management. The former Cottagers star has also assessed the chances of Frank Lampard returning to west London following his promotion-winning heroics at Coventry.

England have been waiting 60 years for football to “come home”, so could that finally happen in 2026? Michael Owen has told GOAL that a trophy will be secured at some point, with Thomas Tuchel considered to have taken inspiration from Sir Gareth Southgate as he endeavours to guide the Three Lions one stage further than his predecessor managed.

Santiago Gimenez failed to register a single Serie A goal for AC Milan during the 2025-26 campaign, with legendary Mexican striker Jared Borgetti explaining his fellow countryman’s struggles to GOAL. Despite enduring a tough time at club level, leading to inevitable transfer talk, the 25-year-old forward is still looking forward to starring at a home World Cup finals.

Thomas Tuchel has been handed a contract extension by the Football Association without proving his worth at a first major tournament, with Robbie Fowler telling GOAL that the German tactician “has to win” the 2026 World Cup in order to justify that show of faith. The former Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich boss was appointed by the Three Lions due to his track record of delivering tangible success.

Jack Grealish “having a pint” is actually “quite refreshing” in the modern era, Everton legend Peter Reid has told GOAL, with fans on Merseyside hoping to see a deal struck in the summer transfer window that brings a colourful character back to the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Manchester City-owned Grealish saw a productive loan spell with the Toffees in 2025-26 cut short by injury.

Evangelos Marinakis has made believers of doubters at Nottingham Forest, with Jack Colback admitting to GOAL that he falls into that category as the enigmatic Greek looks to guide the Reds towards major trophies and Champions League qualification. Those targets are expected to be hit, with the most ambitious of owners drawing up grand plans for the future.