Harry Kane does not need to savour World Cup glory with England in order to become the 2026 Ballon d’Or winner, Robbie Fowler has told GOAL, with remarkable goalscoring exploits at Bayern Munich ensuring that he is “in the conversation”. The prolific No.9 is hoping to be named the best player on the planet after maintaining stunning individual standards with club and country.
Estevao has got Chelsea fans excited about what the future could have in store, with Gary Cahill telling GOAL why the Brazilian wonderkid is capable of reaching the wing wizard bar set by Eden Hazard and Arjen Robben. The Blues have always boasted creativity and flair on the flanks, with another exciting talent emerging that the Stamford Bridge faithful “can’t get enough of”.
Kylian Mbappe is being backed to play in the Premier League at some point, with Louis Saha telling GOAL why Manchester United would be a “good destination” for his fellow Frenchman. The World Cup-winning frontman is currently on the books of La Liga giants Real Madrid, but another high-profile transfer in upcoming windows could see a path that leads to England open up.
England have never come up against Lionel Messi, and Robbie Fowler has told GOAL why the 2026 World Cup could be the perfect occasion in which to cross paths with the Argentine GOAT. The ex-Three Lions frontman says the 2022 champion should not scare Thomas Tuchel’s side, while a reunion with old adversaries Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal should also be embraced.
Declan Rice is “up there” with the best midfielders that England have ever produced, Peter Reid has told GOAL, as the Arsenal talisman has joined a talent bracket that includes the likes of Steven Gerrard and Bryan Robson. That is a big billing, but the newly-crowned Premier League title winner will want to justify it when starring at the 2026 World Cup.
Luka Modric could be considered unique, given all that he has achieved, but Ivan Perisic has told GOAL that Croatia are capable of producing another Ballon d’Or winner in the future. The most decorated performer to emerge from that part of the world collected a prestigious Golden Ball in 2018. More “great talent” continues to drop off the production line, leaving hopes high when it comes to creating another member of the global elite.
Harry Kane will “half want to come back” to the Premier League once his adventure at Bayern Munich is over, Peter Reid has told GOAL. An England icon of the past would like to see one of the present make his way to Everton, but appreciates that may be slightly ambitious and has explained what makes the Three Lions’ all-time leading goalscorer special.
Brad Friedel has - during an exclusive interview with GOAL - sought to play down expectations around “poster boy” Christian Pulisic, but considers four other players to sit alongside ‘Captain America’ in the USMNT’s “undroppable” pool. The United States are considered to be working with a ‘Golden Generation’ of talent as a home World Cup is taken in.
Harry Kane will be leading England’s quest for World Cup glory in 2026, but can the prolific Bayern Munich striker make history by becoming the first man to win two Golden Boots? Ex-Three Lions frontman Robbie Fowler has told GOAL that target can be hit while moving ever closer to an exclusive club that is currently occupied by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Rayan Cherki is being backed to justify comparisons with Zinedine Zidane, as Louis Saha tells GOAL why the enigmatic Manchester City playmaker can become even better now that Pep Guardiola has left the Etihad Stadium. The most demanding of coaches helped to keep a tight leash on Cherki, but the World Cup-bound midfielder should benefit from a little more leeway when working under a new manager in the Premier League.
Jude Bellingham at Liverpool is a transfer that could be agreed at some point in the future, Reds legend Robbie Fowler has told GOAL, with the England international midfielder being told where his game can still improve. The all-action 22-year-old remains on the books of Real Madrid for now, but a Premier League challenge may be sought once his Spanish adventure comes to a close.
Paul Pogba has, following a disappointing return to competitive action at Monaco, been given two reasons why moves to MLS or the Saudi Pro League may be perfect at this stage of his career. John Arne Riise is among those to have been left frustrated at seeing the former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder flop in France and fail to reignite a lost spark.
Cristiano Ronaldo does not want to win the World Cup “because of Lionel Messi”, Eric Djemba-Djemba has told GOAL, with the Portuguese GOAT driven by an insatiable desire to succeed. A global title on North American soil this summer would, however, complete the 41-year-old’s medal collection and see him emulate the achievements of his eternal rival.
Robert Lewandowski is about to hit free agency, as his Barcelona contract expires, with Louis Saha telling GOAL why the prolific Polish striker could be a useful addition for Manchester United. The Frenchman believes a similar impact to that made by Zlatan Ibrahimovic could be enjoyed at Old Trafford, but the addition of a Kylian Mbappe-esque forward is considered to be of more pressing importance to Premier League heavyweights.
Steven Gerrard has been used to explain why Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice cannot be considered a Ballon d’Or contender “just yet”, with Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler telling GOAL why the Gunners talisman “needs to go up a notch” in order to join the global elite. That path is still being trodden by the all-action 27-year-old, who will soon be on World Cup duty with England.
Miami has experienced Lionel Messi mania since the Argentine GOAT made his way to MLS, with the Sunshine State now preparing for a Scottish invasion during the 2026 World Cup. Robert Snodgrass expects that party to be just as special, if not even more raucous, with the Tartan Army hoping to see history made on North American soil this summer.
Michael Olise and Lamine Yamal are two of the best right wingers in world football, but Marcel Desailly has told GOAL when Bayern Munich’s superstar Frenchman remains a “step below” Barcelona’s teenage wonderkid. Both forwards continue to post remarkable numbers for club and country, with their awe-inspiring skill sets about to illuminate the 2026 World Cup.
The role that Gary Neville and Roy Keane played in turning Cristiano Ronaldo into a footballing “robot” has been explained to GOAL by Eric Djemba-Djemba, with the Portuguese icon wiping away tears while heading down the path to superstardom. Some rough treatment was handed out during his first spell at Manchester United, but the all-time great has never been the type to back down from a challenge.
Elliot Anderson boasts enough potential to become “one of the very best”, Jack Colback has told GOAL, with the in-demand Nottingham Forest star considered to be an “old-fashioned” midfielder that is capable of doing a bit of everything. That skill set is said to be attracting admiring glances from Manchester, with City and United both mulling over the merits of a big-money transfer bid.
USMNT strikers Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi have become the subject of Premier League transfer predictions, with Brad Friedel telling GOAL that both could end up in the English top-flight. It is suggested that the former may link up with one of the “big boys”, while the latter would benefit from using “mid to lower teams” as another career stepping stone.
Andre Onana has been told why a permanent transfer away from Manchester United needs to be arranged this summer, with the Cameroonian goalkeeper being informed by fellow countryman Eric Djemba-Djemba that demanding fans in England “don’t care” about second chances. A number of costly mistakes across two seasons at Old Trafford have led to Onana suffering a loss of confidence and heading out on loan.
Morgan Gibbs-White has been urged to chase a dream at Nottingham Forest that “money can’t buy”, with Jack Colback telling GOAL why the mercurial No.10 can go on to become an all-time great at the City Ground. A former team-mate of the talented England international has also explained what the 26-year-old’s “biggest attribute" is after seeing him become a Premier League superstar.
Manchester United are in the market for midfield reinforcements - amid links to the likes of Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali and Fede Valverde - with Eric Djemba-Djemba telling GOAL who the Red Devils’ “first choice” should be. Big money is set to be spent at Old Trafford this summer on acquiring a suitable replacement for the departing Casemiro.
Arsenal are understandably keen to see Mikel Arteta agree to an extension of his contract, but could a Premier League and Champions League double lead the Spanish tactician to reassess his options? Domestic dominance has been restored in north London, with a historic European triumph up for grabs, and Ray Parlour has told GOAL what he expects the future to hold for a manager that has already spent six years in his current post.