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.

âšœ 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. Eze reveals the one star who stood out to him in England training

    Arsenal star Eberechi Eze has revealed that Marcus Rashford was the one player who stood out most to him during his first England training session. Speaking exclusively with Adebayo Akinfenwa on the latest episode of the Beast Mode On Podcast, Eze praised the way the versatile forward strikes and runs with the ball and explained how Thomas Tuchel has England set up to "achieve something incredible" at the World Cup.

  2. Chelsea star to be offered World Cup lifeline by Tuchel

    England boss Thomas Tuchel is expected to offer Liam Delap a World Cup lifeline as he plans to discuss what the Chelsea striker needs to do in order to earn a first international call-up. Delap moved to Stamford Bridge from Ipswich for ÂŁ30m over the summer after the young forward impressed for the relegated Tractor Boys. The Blues beat Manchester United to the signing of the 22-year-old.

  3. Solanke opens up on Tottenham injury hell

    Dominic Solanke has opened up on his injury hell as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury. The Tottenham striker has been restricted to just three competitive club appearances this season owing to an ankle problem sustained in pre-season. Solanke's last outing for Spurs came from the bench in the 2-0 win at Manchester City back in August.

  4. Expert explains repercussions of ITV's ÂŁ1 billion Sky deal

    ITV confirmed earlier this month that it is in preliminary discussions to sell its broadcasting business to Sky for ÂŁ1.6 billion. The talks come as the television industry faces fierce competition from the rise of streaming services such as Disney+, Prime Video and Netflix. The former platforms already own rights to show one Champions League and one La Liga match per gameweek.

  5. Wirtz parks Liverpool struggles in thumping Germany win

    Germany needed only to avoid defeat to guarantee their 2026 World Cup spot when they faced Slovakia at the Red Bull Arena on Monday night. Following a sub-par campaign, which included a 2-0 loss in Slovakia back in September, Die Mannschaft booked their trip stateside in fine fashion as Julian Nagelsmann's side slaughtered the Falcons, easing to a 6-0 victory.

  6. Arsenal consider allowing three players to leave in January

    Arsenal are prepared to entertain offers for four players in January provided the right offers comes in. The Gunners spent big over the summer, splashing the cash to land the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke and Martin Zubimendi. In a bid to balance the books, the Premier League leaders are prepared to trim their squad in the New Year despite battling on a number of fronts.

  7. Lionesses book huge World Cup qualifier against Spain

    England and Spain will renew rivalries in April 2026, less than a year after their Euro 2025 showdown. The Lionesses successfully defended their continental crown in Switzerland as they avenged their 2023 World Cup final loss to La Roja, winning 3-1 on penalties. Now the pair will face off at Wembley in a 2027 World Cup qualifier as Spain look to retain that trophy in Brazil in two years' time.

  1. Premier League suitors learn value of Semenyo release clause

    It has been reported how much Premier League suitors have to pay to trigger Antoine Semenyo's release clause ahead of the January transfer window. Semenyo is a wanted man by a number of the division's big hitters, with the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United among those keen on the Bournemouth star. The Ghanaian was linked with a recent summer move away from the south coast but penned a five-year deal with the Cherries.

  2. Neymar and father set to acquire rights to Pele's brand

    Neymar and his father are set to to acquire the Pele brand through their company NR Sports. Neymar returned to Santos at the start of January having left the Brazilian side for La Liga giants Barcelona in 2013, where he'd go on to win La Liga and the Champions League. And the Brazil star is prepared to continue Pele's legacy as the player and his father acquire the brand rights.

  3. Man Utd set to launch basketball team for additional revenue

    Manchester United have been tipped to launch a basketball team as minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe explores other revenue streams. United are one of the most lucrative brands in the world and Sir Jim is keen to exploit the club's brand awareness in order to maximise profits having posted record financial revenues last year despite a poor domestic campaign under Erik ten Hag and then Ruben Amorim.

  4. Barcelona announce imminent return to Camp Nou after renovation works

    Barcelona have confirmed the date for their long-awaited return to Spotify Camp Nou. The Blaugrana haven't played at the famous stadium since the end of the 2022/23 season as the La Liga giants' home underwent major renovation works. However, the project, which was due to be sufficiently completed to resume playing there by the end of 2024, has dragged on significantly longer than initially anticipated.

  5. Liverpool receive massive boost as Egypt drop Mohamed Salah

    Liverpool have been handed a Mohamed Salah boost after the Egyptian FA confirmed the forward will be rested for Monday's meeting with Cape Verde. Salah played the full 90 for Egypt in their surprise 2-0 loss to Uzbekistan on Friday as the Pharaohs crashed out of the Al Ain International Cup at the semi-final stage, and their exit could prove a blessing for the Reds.

  6. Liverpool vs Chelsea player ratings

    Record-breaker Bright struggles as Chelsea held again

    Chelsea huffed and puffed but were unable to return to winning ways in the Women's Super League as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Liverpool on Sunday. The Blues have now failed to win back-to-back league games for the first time since the 2021-22 season as they could only close the gap to leaders Manchester City to three points having been pegged back after taking an early lead.

  7. Staveley backs Isak to turn Liverpool form around

    Former Newcastle chief Amanda Staveley has thrown her support behind ex-Magpies striker Alexander Isak. The Swede has struggled for form following his record breaking move to Liverpool on deadline day, with his only goal for the Reds coming in a Carabao Cup win over Championship side Southampton back in September. Isak, though, has been backed to come good for Liverpool.

  8. Ronaldo sends message to Portugal team-mates after leaving camp

    Cristiano Ronaldo has sent a message of support to his Portugal team-mates ahead of their meeting with Armenia. The Selecao currently top Group F ahead of the final round of World Cup qualification games but defeat to Ireland on Thursday means they need to win to book their trip stateside next summer. And ahead of the game, Ronaldo took to Instagram to throw his backing behind the national team.