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Jose Mourinho once helped to make Frank Lampard the best goalscoring midfielder in world football, but can he repeat the trick with Jude Bellingham? Blancos legend Steve McManaman has explained to GOAL why one England international superstar faces challenges posed by team-mates Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior when it comes to emulating another Three Lions icon.

Rio Ngumoha may be first in line to take on the challenge of filling Mohamed Salah’s boots at Liverpool, but ex-Reds star Emile Heskey has told GOAL what the teenage wonderkid “needs to change” in order to thrive in that role. Somebody is required to follow in the footsteps of Anfield’s ‘Egyptian King’, with it possible that a 17-year-old sensation will be charged with that task.

Former Real Madrid star Steve McManaman has explained to GOAL why Kylian Mbappe faces “strange” criticism despite matching the goal numbers posted by Cristiano Ronaldo through his opening two seasons at Santiago Bernabeu. The French forward has been a revelation for the Blancos, but he operates under a “win or disaster” microscope and tangible success has been in short supply.

Reigan Heskey has left Manchester City for a new challenge in Germany, with the 18-year-old’s father - ex-Liverpool and England striker Emile - telling GOAL why that transfer call was made. The highly-rated forward, who has starred for his country at U18 level, has decided to follow in the footsteps of Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham by heading to the Bundesliga.

Real Madrid have gone two seasons without a major trophy, so does Jose Mourinho merely have to win by any means possible following his return to Santiago Bernabeu? Blancos legend Steve McManaman has, during an exclusive interview with GOAL, explained what the ‘Special One’s’ remit will be as La Liga heavyweights wrestle with a substance versus style quandary.

Troy Parrott has been a prolific presence for Eredivisie side AZ and the Republic of Ireland national team, so why has a Premier League team not taken a “£25-30 million” punt on the Tottenham academy graduate? Ray Houghton has asked that question during an exclusive interview with GOAL, as Parrott is backed to net “12-14 goals” in the English top-flight.

Leicester legend Emile Heskey has aired his surprise, during an exclusive interview with GOAL, at seeing the Foxes make no effort to bring Jamie Vardy back to the King Power Stadium. The Premier League title winner left the East Midlands as a free agent in 2025, spending last season at Cremonese in Italy, and Heskey admits that he would re-sign the 39-year-old striker “ in a heartbeat”.

Alexander Isak has been told where “he’s got to be” in his second season at Liverpool, with ex-Reds striker Emile Heskey setting a “goals and assists” target for the Swede during an exclusive interview with GOAL. Isak is, following his record-breaking £125 million ($169m) move to Anfield during the summer of 2025, under pressure to recapture the form that he previously showed at Newcastle.

Andy Robertson is fully deserving of the “remarkable achievement” that sees him poised to overtake Kenny Dalglish as the most-capped Scotland international of all-time, Colin Hendry has told GOAL. The former Liverpool defender, who is now on the books at Tottenham, is five appearances away from matching a fellow countryman that remains a legend at Anfield.

Rio Ngumoha has been told what the “next step” is for him, with Liverpool legend John Barnes looking for more experience and end product from a teenage wonderkid that does not need to worry about “beating five players”. At 17 years of age, the England hopeful is looking to build on a breakthrough campaign at Anfield that delivered 29 appearances and two goals.

Frank Lampard should avoid a “very harsh” call at Coventry, Colin Hendry has told GOAL, with the Chelsea legend ready for another shot at Premier League management. A new contract has been signed, on the back of Championship title glory, with a return to the big time being enjoyed in the West Midlands following a 25-year absence.

It is “so important” for Bukayo Saka to get back among the goals for Arsenal on a regular basis in 2026-27, Gunners legend Alan Smith has told GOAL. The England international winger savoured Premier League title glory last season, filling the captain’s armband at times, but only found the target on 11 occasions across all competitions - his lowest return in five years.

Manchester United have been offered “best” transfer advice by Patrice Evra, with the former Red Devils star telling GOAL that Victor Osimhen should be brought to Old Trafford. The prolific Nigeria international remains on the books of Turkish giants Galatasaray, but has seen a Premier League move mooted for some time and 2026 could be the year in which a deal is done.

Scott McTominay has starred for Napoli since leaving Manchester United for Serie A in 2024 and former Scotland international Colin Hendry has, during an exclusive interview with GOAL, tipped “somebody in England” to try and take the all-action midfielder back to the Premier League. Such a deal may not happen any time soon as a new contract in Italy is being mooted.

Jude Bellingham is “not Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo” and cannot “win games by himself”, John Barnes has told GOAL, with the England and Real Madrid superstar considered to be more of a Bryan Robson-esque No.8 than a creative No.10. The all-action midfielder has often been pushed into a more advanced role, but his ability is maximised when operating in a deeper-lying berth.

Jack Grealish may have faced questions of his £100 million ($135m) move to Manchester City, while generating transfer talk in 2026, but Colin Hendry has told GOAL how the “clever” playmaker has maximised his career. Whatever happens from this point, the 30-year-old forward boasts the kind of trophy-winning CV that most players can only dream about.

Phil Foden has signed a new contract at Manchester City, which hints at a prominent role being enjoyed under Enzo Maresca, but Colin Hendry has admitted to GOAL that the Blues may be “protecting the asset”. A home-grown star at the Etihad Stadium has endured a couple of difficult years, but fresh terms will be helping to keep his asking price high.

Newcastle need to accept a frustrating transfer cycle at St James’ Park, John Barnes has told GOAL, as top players will always “come and go” - with even the likes of Liverpool struggling to retain the services of prized assets. Few clubs in world football can resist admiring glances from afar, with the Magpies finding that out to their cost in 2026.

Rangers are a “bigger club than Tottenham”, Colin Hendry has told GOAL, but the Old Firm giants face transfer frustration when it comes to bringing Mikey Moore back to Ibrox for a second spell. The teenage wonderkid impressed many in Glasgow last season, but Spurs are seemingly set to send him elsewhere before the summer deadline of 2026 passes.

Jason Wilcox holds plenty of power at Old Trafford, but what is Manchester United’s director of football really like? Premier League title-winning team-mate Colin Hendry has answered that question during an exclusive interview with GOAL. The former England international has trodden a post-playing career path that few could have predicted - having once been a “comedian” in the dressing room.

Liverpool legend John Barnes has told GOAL that Florian Wirtz is his “favourite player” at Anfield, with the German playmaker being backed to “do what Bruno Fernandes does” while donning a different red shirt. Wirtz endured a testing debut campaign in English football, but the talented 23-year-old can still justify the £116 million ($156m) worth of faith that has been shown in him.

Manchester United are said to be keen on Lewis Hall, but can the Newcastle left-back become “the new Patrice Evra” at Old Trafford? The man himself has attempted to answer that question, with the legendary Red Devils defender assessing potential transfer business with GOAL. More movement is expected before the summer window of 2026 swings shut.

Colin Hendry has attempted to explain how he would deal with Erling Haaland, during an exclusive interview with GOAL, but the former Manchester City defender admits that the prolific frontman poses questions that are almost impossible to answer. The Norway international forms part of the global elite, with few opponents able to contain his obvious threat.

Newcastle were never going to be in a position to land a Fabian Hurzeler or Andoni Iraola once Eddie Howe took the decision to walk away, former Magpies star John Barnes has told GOAL. In a summer of change at St James’ Park, on and off the field, managerial reins in the North East have been passed to Premier League rookie Matthias Jaissle.

Enzo Fernandez would tick a box for Manchester City that the Blues have been missing, Colin Hendry has told GOAL, with the World Cup winner tipped to be a “big plus” for Enzo Maresca if he can be lured away from Chelsea. The Argentina international will come with a huge price tag, said to stand at £120 million ($162m), but could prove to be money well spent.

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.