Mitchell Fretton

Mitchell Fretton

News editor & writer

📝 Bio: I am a football editor and writer who eats, sleeps, drinks and lives the sport. My expertise lies in the English Premier League and top European divisions - with a particular focus on tactical analysis and match breakdowns. My experience spans across the country, having sat in press boxes during Champions League nights at St James' Park and in the Etihad media room with Pep Guardiola. I grew up in Essex, loving and hating Tottenham Hotspur, and although I never made it as the next Gareth Bale, a career in the sports industry has served me well so far.

My Football Story: Can you be thrown into the deep end when it comes to football? My first memories of the game come from high up in the North Stand at White Hart Lane. Tottenham vs Arsenal in 2004, I didn’t have a team then, but my dad and grandad wanted to get me in Lilywhite as soon as I was born. Spurs might have lost that game 5-4 against a side who had just completed an invincible season, but from that moment I was hooked. I do not regret the decision one single bit.

🎯 Areas of Expertise:

  • Premier League Tactical Analysis
  • Transfer Research & Player Profiling
  • Preview Feature Writing

🌟 Favourite Footballing Memory: There can only be one moment here. Travelling to Bilbao and being there to witness Spurs win their first trophy in 17 years and first European honour in over four decades. The feeling of watching Heung-Min Son lift that trophy was something I will never forget, and a sensation only football fans can feel.

🏆 My All-Time XI: Work with me here, I was born in 1998 and want to base this from players I have watched in my lifetime. It also feels right to go with the classic 4-4-2 - Iker Casillas; Cafu, P.Maldini, F.Cannavaro, Roberto Carlos; Xavi, Zidane, C.Ronaldo, Messi; Henry, Ronaldo.

Articles by Mitchell Fretton
  1. Electric Estevao outshines Yamal in war of the wonderkids

    Chelsea's fine form under Enzo Maresca continued with a blockbuster win over Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday. The Blues turned on the style against their Spanish rivals, coming away 3-0 winners, thanks to an own goal from Jules Kounde, a wonderful Estevao strike and Liam Delap's first goal at Stamford Bridge. But the Premier League side could have had six or seven, such was their dominance under the lights in the capital.

  2. Arteta 'upset' after Arsenal's major failure in NLD

    Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admits he was "upset" after his side failed to score from a set piece in their 4-1 north London derby win against Tottenham on Sunday. The Gunners dominated their arch rivals at the Emirates, scoring all four of their goals from open play, something the Premier League leaders have been criticised for failing to do so far this season.

  3. Eriksen didn't want any part in 'Welcome to Wrexham' docuseries

    Wrexham chief executive Michael Williamson has revealed why Christian Eriksen declined an approach from the club during the summer transfer window, with the former Manchester United midfielder initially worried about being asked to feature in Wrexham’s popular documentary series, 'Welcome to Wrexham'. The Dane instead joined Bundesliga side Wolfsburg as a free agent.

  4. Van de Ven finally speaks out on Frank snub

    Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven has finally opened up on the moment he snubbed head coach Thomas Frank after the club's 1-0 loss to Chelsea last weekend. The Dutchman, who captained the side on the night, was part of a Spurs team that registered their lowest-ever expected goals tally in a Premier League match. Clearly frustrated, the defender blanked his manager and headed straight down the tunnel at full-time, to a chorus of boos in north London.

  5. CR7 insists matching Messi's World Cup success won't 'define' his legacy

    Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo insists his football legacy will not be "defined" by whether he matches Lionel Messi's success at the World Cup. The Al-Nassr star appears to have performed a U-turn based on his latest interview, after initially claiming it would be a "dream" to lift the famous trophy before retiring. However, the icon has now insisted it does not matter what happens at next summer's tournament.

  6. Tom Brady 2025

    Brady claims dog Junie cloned from deceased family pet

    NFL icon and Birmingham City minority owner Tom Brady has claimed that his dog, Junie, is a genetic clone of family pet Lua, who died in 2023. According to the former quarterback, the cloning was carried out by Colossal Biosciences, a Dallas-based biotechnology firm in which Brady is an investor. The news was announced in a statement by Colossal as they look to lead the industry in the technology.

  1. Slot aims face-to-face dig at Rooney over managerial record

    Liverpool head coach Arne Slot seemed to aim a subtle dig at Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney on air during the post-match coverage of the Reds' win over Real Madrid in the Champions League. As part of Amazon Prime's post-match discussions, Slot was quizzed on Liverpool's recent struggles. The Dutchman gave a hilarious response and could not resist a sideways look at Rooney in the process.

  2. Tottenham's Udogie named as player threatened with gun by agent

    Tottenham defender Destiny Udogie has been revealed as the Premier League player allegedly threatened with a gun by a football agent in September. Italian outlets first broke the news on Tuesday, prompting Spurs to release a statement of their own explaining they have been providing support for the full-back. The Metropolitan police have confirmed a 31-year-old man was arrested after the incident.

  3. Van Dijk fires back at Rooney criticism in awkward live TV exchange

    Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk hit back at criticism from Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney in the aftermath of the Reds' Champions League win over Real Madrid. Rooney had spoken publicly about the perceived poor body language of the Dutchman and Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah, a statement that Van Dijk did not agree with. The two men then came face-to-face post-match at Anfield on Tuesday night, and exchanged some awkward words.

  4. Revealed: Why Man Utd & Aston Villa ruled out Endrick loan

    Real Madrid striker Endrick is set to leave the club on a temporary basis after failing to impress head coach Xabi Alonso following his arrival at the club in the summer. The Brazilian had been linked with a loan move to the Premier League, with both Manchester United and Aston Villa interested in the young forward. But reports now suggest the 19-year-old will make a move to Lyon in France.

  5. Neymar sent warning by Santos chief over future at club

    Neymar’s future with Santos remains up in the air as the Brazil star approaches the end of his current contract. Having recently recovered from a muscle injury, the 33-year-old finally returned to action in last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Fortaleza in Serie A. Club chief Marcelo Teixeira wants the ex-Barcelona forward to stay with the club until the World Cup, but has warned the player that there are financial limits when it comes to agreeing a new contract.

  6. Earps 'really overwhelmed' by backlash to Hampton comments

    Mary Earps has spoken out following criticism over comments made in her new autobiography about Hannah Hampton and Sarina Wiegman, insisting the book was not written to "tear anyone down". The former England goalkeeper, who was part of the Euro 2022-winning side, said the negative public reaction to segments from the book had been "distorted" and taken out of context.

  7. De Zerbi reveals why he dropped Greenwood for Marseille clash

    Marseille head coach Roberto De Zerbi has opened up on why he dropped Mason Greenwood from the starting XI in the recent Ligue 1 win over Auxerre. The former Brighton boss was speaking ahead of the club's Champions League clash against Serie A side Atalanta, set for Wednesday night in France, and explained his reasons for keeping the ex-Manchester United man on the bench.

  8. Footballer among victims of horror knife attack on train

    Scunthorpe United player Jonathan Gjoshe has been identified as one of the individuals injured in a stabbing incident on a high-speed train travelling through Cambridgeshire last week. The club have confirmed that the 22-year-old suffered non-life-threatening injuries and remains in hospital as he continues to recover. He is one of multiple victims who were impacted during the incident near Huntingdon.

  9. Slot issues injury update on Isak ahead of Real Madrid & Man City

    Arne Slot has provided an injury update on Alexander Isak, Jeremie Frimpong and Alisson ahead of Liverpool's Champions League clash with Real Madrid at Anfield. The Reds are looking to keep building positive momentum after ending their winless run in the Premier League against Brentford on Saturday. The champions will face no let up though, as they take on Manchester City a few days after hosting Los Blancos.