Ben McAleer

Ben McAleer

News writer & editor

📝 Bio: I am a freelance football expert with over 15 years’ experience in the industry. Having put the ‘free’ into freelance after graduating Bath Spa University with a degree in Media Communications in 2010, I was lucky enough to make the move into full-time work with football stats website WhoScored.com in 2013, progressing through the ranks until I became Head of Content in 2022 before leaving in 2025. I’ve been lucky enough to write about the sport I love for well over a decade, which includes the privilege of attending some of the biggest games in the Premier League and Champions League.

⚽ My Football Story: A frustrated Tottenham fan, I can recall my first ever match at White Hart Lane as my dad dragged me along to a drab 0-0 draw with Wimbledon in January 1999. While it hardly set the world alight, this was the match that remarkably made me fall in love with the beautiful game. Since then, I’ve been to countless games at home and abroad, as both a fan and as press, letting out a sound that no man should make as Dele Alli scored that goal at Crystal Palace. I’ve also had the privilege of seeing the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the flesh.

🎯 Areas of Expertise:

  • Expert opinion & analysis
  • Sub-editing
  • Scout reports
  • News writing & editing
  • Premier League, Champions League, Europa League & European football
  • Betting

🌟 Favourite Footballing Memory: Travelling to Wembley for the 2008 Carling Cup final as Tottenham beat Chelsea thanks to Jonathan Woodgate’s face. It was the longest 120 minutes of my life but the relief as the full-time whistle blew… gives me goosebumps to this day. Taking my son to his first ever Tottenham game, albeit a pre-season one, also fills me with a sense of pride, even if he does insist he now supports Arsenal…

Articles by Ben McAleer
  1. PSG see controversial request approved ahead of Chelsea clash

    Paris Saint-Germain have seen a controversial request ahead of their Champions League round-of-16 clash with Chelsea next month approved by the LFP. The Parisian powerhouse will welcome the Blues to the Parc des Princes in a little over a week before the return leg at Stamford Bridge the following week as Luis Enrique's side seek to defend their European crown.

  2. Revealed: How much it will cost to sign Newcastle stars

    Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool, among others, have been told how much it will cost to lure Newcastle's star players away from St. James' Park this summer. A host of key Magpies players have been linked with departures in recent months as Premier League rivals seek to exploit their sub-par season to boost their own respective squads.

  3. Andre Onana backed to ‘fight’ for Man Utd redemption

    Andre Onana has been backed to fight for his Manchester United place once his loan spell with Trabzonspor comes to a close in the summer. The Cameroon international moved to the Turkish Super Lig side for the season last September following the arrival of Senne Lammens from Belgian side Antwerp. The 23-year-old has since established himself as first choice at Old Trafford.

  4. How Arsenal are unlocking potential in 'nightmare' Gyokeres

    Arsenal are on the right path to unlocking Viktor Gyokeres' full potential, according to head coach Mikel Arteta. The Swede moved to the Premier League leaders in a deal worth an initial ÂŁ54.8m last summer having shone for Sporting CP. Gyokeres scored 39 league goals and registered an additional seven assists as the Portuguese powerhouse pipped rivals Benfica to the title.

  5. Referee arrested in Spain after alleged identity theft

    A referee in Spain has been arrested over alleged identity theft in a bid to obtain Villarreal season tickets and discounts. The referee in question was one of two men detained by police as part of an investigation into the fraudulent acquisition of season tickets and the falsification of tickets at the home of Villarreal, the Estadio de la Ceramica.

  1. Barcelona finally make call on signing Marcus Rashford

    Barcelona have finally made a decision on whether to sign Marcus Rashford once his loan spell comes to an end. The England international completed a switch to the La Liga giants last summer, and has impressed during his time in Spain. The defending champions, though, have been weighing up whether or not to take up the option to make the transfer permanent.

  2. Chelsea send PSG warning after drawing Champions League holders

    Chelsea have sent an early warning to Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain after the Blues drew the defending champions in the round-of-16 of the competition on Friday. The Premier League side travel to Paris for the first leg next month before the return fixture at Stamford Bridge the following week. However, despite a testing draw, Chelsea 'holds no fear' of the Parisian powerhouse.

  3. Zinchenko out for rest of season after suffering knee injury

    Oleksandr Zinchenko has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a serious injury on his first home appearance for Dutch giants Ajax. Zinchenko was named in the starting XI for the Eredivisie side for the first time since his arrival from Arsenal at the start of February but his full debut was cut short as he was forced off with just minutes on the clock.

  4. Argentina's plan to stop Yamal in La Finalissima revealed

    Lionel Scaloni's plan to stop Lamine Yamal in La Finalissima has been revealed as Spain gear up to take on Argentina in Qatar. The European champions will take on the Copa America winners in Qatar next month in the pre-World Cup meeting in the national team equivalent of the now-defunct Intercontinental Cup. The game will see the Barcelona wonderkid come up against Lionel Messi for the first time.