Exclusive

Mohamed Salah deserves “respect” for not choosing the “easy option”, John Barnes has told GOAL, with the Liverpool legend insisting that the Egyptian King’s successor at Anfield will not be under “pressure” to emulate a modern day great. Nobody has stepped into those shoes as yet, with a Reds icon preparing to open a new chapter in his career at Trabzonspor.

Ben White has been told that he should be “knocking on the door” at Emirates Stadium and requesting a transfer away from Arsenal, with Lee Dixon explaining to GOAL why a “difficult” decision needs to be made. Premier League title success has been savoured in north London, but the versatile 28-year-old finds himself stuck down the pecking order under Mikel Arteta.

Robbie Keane is a managerial free agent, having cut his coaching teeth outside of British football, and Graham Stack has - during an exclusive interview with GOAL - stated his surprise that no club has “picked the phone up and begged” the former Tottenham and Liverpool striker to take their reins. For now, the ex-Republic of Ireland international is waiting on enticing offers to be tabled.

The qualities that make Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya special have been explained to GOAL by ‘Invincibles’ squad member Graham Stack. The World Cup and Premier League title-winning shot-stopper is considered to share some characteristics with England No.1 Jordan Pickford, but goes about his business in an altogether different kind of manner.

Harry Kane has been told that emulating Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi by gracing the World Cup finals in the twilight of his playing career will be a “big ask”. Ex-Bayern Munich star Dietmar Hamann - who has been speaking to GOAL - is not convinced that the two-time Bundesliga title winner will, at 36 years of age, form part of England’s major tournament plans in the summer of 2030.

Manchester United have been offered advice on how best to manage teenage wonderkid JJ Gabriel, with Lee Sharpe telling GOAL why a youngster that has been dubbed ‘Kid Messi’ may have to wait another year before making his competitive debut. At 15 years of age, the highly-rated forward has figured for the Red Devils in pre-season and is knocking on the first-team door.

Real Madrid still love a ‘Galactico’, but ex-Blancos star Michael Owen has told GOAL that there is little chance of Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland forming part of a fearsome frontline at Santiago Bernabeu. Instead, it is likely to remain a case of “one or the other” when it comes to superstar forwards that now operate in the same central striking position.

Jurgen Klopp has been warned that he will get no special treatment as head coach of Germany, with Dietmar Hamann telling GOAL that the former Liverpool manager’s “honeymoon period” will last “one game”. The enigmatic 59-year-old has returned to the dugout for the first time since bidding an emotional farewell to Anfield in the summer of 2024.

Swansea legend Lee Trundle has told GOAL why Luka Modric and Snoop Dogg could have cause for celebration at the end of the 2026-27 campaign, with collective sights in South Wales being locked on the Premier League. With A-list investors watching on from afar, the Swans are considered to be heading down a similar path to geographical rivals Wrexham.

Jack Grealish endured a “soul-destroying” injury last season, but the Manchester City-owned winger’s fellow West Midlands native Lee Sharpe has told GOAL why a “game-changing” talent can get his career back on track and potentially earn an England recall. For now, the 30-year-old forward faces a big decision on what his immediate future holds at club level.

Liverpool have been told that they missed a transfer trick in not identifying West Ham star Jarrod Bowen as the ideal successor to Mohamed Salah, with Michael Owen assessing links to Bradley Barcola during an exclusive interview with GOAL. The Paris Saint-Germain forward is said to have become available, but the France international will come with a “massive price” around his neck.

Lee Trundle was king of the showboat in his heyday, but who would he welcome aboard that vessel from the Premier League class of 2026? The former Swansea and Wrexham ace has answered that question for GOAL. Rayan Cherki, who is something of a “throwback”, earns said honour while starring at Manchester City, while Arsenal playmaker Eberechi Eze is another creative magician.

Arsenal are Premier League champions again, for the first time in 22 years, but which members of their 2026-27 title-winning class would make the fabled ‘Invincibles’ squad of 2003-04? Ex-Gunners goalkeeper Graham Stack, who formed part of Arsene Wenger’s ranks back then, has attempted to answer that question during an exclusive interview with GOAL.

Manchester United are hoping to see Bruno Fernandes sign a new contract, but who will inherit the captain’s armband at Old Trafford when the Portuguese playmaker moves on? Lee Sharpe has, during an exclusive interview with GOAL, thrown a few names into the mix - with Mason Mount considered to be a potential on-field leader for the ambitious Red Devils.

Dietmar Hamann has explained to GOAL the only way that a move to Real Madrid happens for Michael Olise, with it possible that Bayern Munich would snub a €200 million-plus (£171m/$231m) bid for the France international. It has been suggested that the Blancos are, in their search for more ‘Galacticos,’ prepared to part with a record-shattering transfer fee.

Benjamin Sesko remains the only out-and-out No.9 on Manchester United’s books, but Michael Owen has told GOAL why he has “doubts” over the Slovenian’s ability to become the “long-term” central striking option at Old Trafford. The 23-year-old frontman played his way into form last season, following a slow start, but Michael Carrick is considered to be in need of further firepower.

Harry Kane being snubbed in the 2026 Ballon d’Or vote would be “bizarre”, Chris Waddle has told GOAL, with the Bayern Munich and England superstar considered to be the logical pick for Golden Ball recognition. World Cup glory with Spain on North American soil has put the likes of Lamine Yamal and Rodri in the hunt for ‘best player on the planet’ honours.

Harry Kane could move to MLS “when he’s 35”, former Bayern Munich star Dietmar Hamann has told GOAL, while a return to England is also expected to form part of the record-setting striker’s future. For now, the prolific frontman - on the back of two Bundesliga title wins in Germany - is expected to extend a contract at the Allianz Arena that has just 12 months left to run.

Lewis Hall has emerged as a transfer target for Manchester United, with Chris Waddle telling GOAL why the opportunity to “double” his salary will hold obvious appeal to the Newcastle left-back. A mass exodus of talent, on and off the field, has been taking place at St James’ Park. There is a chance that an England international defender will form part of that process.

Michael Carrick has helped to turn Manchester United’s fortunes around, but Lee Sharpe has sounded a trophy-winning warning to the Red Devils’ new permanent boss. A return to the Champions League party will be enjoyed in 2026-27, but pressure will build on the man at the helm if major silverware falls out of reach across domestic and continental competition.

Harry Kane has been advised to use Cristiano Ronaldo as a World Cup warning, with Chris Waddle telling GOAL that involvement with England at the 2030 World Cup will be a “big ask” for the Three Lions’ record-shattering captain. Kane is showing no sign of slowing down, with club and country, but questions continue to be asked of his international future.

Eddie Howe is considered to be an England manager of the future, but Newcastle legend Chris Waddle has told GOAL that the former Magpies boss should be looking to move abroad for his next job. The 48-year-old has surprisingly become available, with options now being mulled over that will allow already impressive coaching credentials to be enhanced.

Paul Mullin is a Wrexham legend, but there is little place for sentiment in professional sport and former Red Dragons star Lee Trundle has admitted to GOAL that football can be “cruel”. More tough decisions have been made in North Wales this summer, with a promotion-winning striker that registered 110 goals for the club seeing his contract terminated by mutual consent.

Clean sheet king David Raya is being backed to make Premier League history in 2026-27, with ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Graham Stack telling GOAL why the Gunners’ No.1 is favourite for a fourth consecutive Golden Glove award. Spain international Raya has been dominating in that department, while capturing a domestic title, with a place in the record books now up for grabs.

Michael Owen has explained to GOAL why Manchester United need to “break the rules” when it comes to Bruno Fernandes, with it imperative that the club captain at Old Trafford commits to a new contract. The Portuguese playmaker, who made Premier League history last season, is yet to agree an extension to terms that are due to expire in the summer of 2027.

James Trafford has completed his £45 million ($61m) transfer from Manchester City to Leeds, with Graham Stack telling GOAL why that deal makes sense despite the England hopeful “playing less and moving for more money”. The highly-rated 23-year-old goalkeeper has been on the move, with sizable fees changing hands, in three of the last four summer windows.

Mikel Arteta is a graduate of the Arsene Wenger and Pep Guardiola school of coaching, with ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Graham Stack explaining to GOAL the similarities that a title-winning tactician at Emirates Stadium shares with other Premier League champions. Arteta has become a managerial master in his own right, with important lessons being learned along the way.

Harry Kane is “loved” at Bayern Munich, but Dietmar Hamann has told GOAL what the England captain needs in order to join the likes of Oliver Kahn, Franz Beckenbauer, Robert Lewandowski and Franck Ribery on the club’s list of legends. The signing of a new contract at the Allianz Arena will aid that cause, with fresh terms expected to be thrashed out imminently.

Marcus Rashford is seemingly set to be absorbed back into the fold at Manchester United, with Lee Sharpe explaining to GOAL why the England international is worth a calculated transfer risk. A home-grown star at Old Trafford was considered to have “downed tools” before heading out on loan, but is talented enough that a new contract at the Theatre of Dreams cannot be entirely ruled out.