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Former Arsenal and Sweden midfielder Stefan Schwarz has told GOAL that while Viktor Gyokeres may not be a “classy attacker”, he is finding his feet in the Premier League - as a title winner - and should be closer to his “best” during the 2026-27 campaign. The powerful frontman enjoyed a productive debut campaign at Emirates Stadium, but continues to see more forwards linked with big-money moves to north London.

The France national team are no strangers to World Cup soap operas, with some bizarre headlines being made down the years, but Louis Saha has told GOAL that Rayan Cherki’s apparent snubbing of head coach Didier Deschamps is “not drama”. The enigmatic Manchester City playmaker has seemingly not taken kindly to the lack of game time being passed his way at FIFA’s flagship event.

Kylian Mbappe is capable of completing a clean sweep on the trophy front in 2026, Louis Saha has told GOAL, with the France international in contention for World Cup, Golden Boot, Golden Ball and Ballon d’Hor honours. The Real Madrid forward has been starring on the grandest of stages, with the perfect response being delivered to some “strange criticism”.

Tony Cascarino has admitted to GOAL that “big players have always moved”, but the former Aston Villa striker is still annoyed at the slightly baffling situation that sees Morgan Rogers generating intense transfer talk. The England international is seeing a big-money move to Arsenal speculated on, with the Villans needing to sanction sales in order to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

While Kalvin Phillips’ bank balance will be “looking well”, fellow Leeds United academy graduate Matt Kilgallon has told GOAL why the Manchester City flop risks finding himself in a position where “nobody wants you”. The former England international has become stuck in a serious rut, with the right call needing to be made this summer in order to get his career back on track.

Phil Foden has seen his career slip into reverse at Manchester City, Tony Cascarino has told GOAL, with the England international being informed that a summer transfer to Aston Villa could be a “great move”. The Villans may soon find themselves in the market for another creative player as Morgan Rogers continues to generate intense exit talk in the West Midlands.

Declan Rice is “world-class” already, former Arsenal midfielder Stefan Schwarz has told GOAL, with the Gunners star considered to boast a special quality that makes him a potential Ballon d’Or contender of the future. England international Rice is hoping to come into contention for that prize while chasing down more major honours with club and country.

Ange Postecoglou will find it “hard” to land another Premier League job following his issues at Tottenham and Nottingham Forest, former Celtic striker Tony Cascarino has told GOAL. The Australian tactician, who delivered title glory during his time at Parkhead, is among those said to be in the frame to take over as Scotland boss following Steve Clarke’s departure.

Lawrence Shankland has finally secured his dream move to Rangers, but Kenny Miller has told GOAL why the Scotland international may find it difficult to maintain his prolific strike rate at Ibrox. He is expected to be a “strong signing” for the Gers, but will face an entirely different set of career challenges when operating under the brightest of Old Firm spotlights.

Alejandro Garnacho has been likened to Anthony Gordon, with both wingers considered to be limited, with former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino telling GOAL why the Blues may listen to offers for a £40 million ($53m) flop during the summer transfer window of 2026. Argentina international Garnacho only moved to Stamford Bridge 12 months ago, but uncomfortable questions are already being asked of his future.

Arsenal are being heavily linked with Morgan Rogers so could it be a case of one in, one out at Emirates Stadium as the Aston Villa playmaker replaces Martin Odegaard in Mikel Arteta’s plans? Stefan Schwarz has reacted to that surprising transfer talk during an exclusive interview with GOAL, with the former Gunners midfielder expecting the club’s Premier League title-winning captain to stick around for now.

An exciting transfer window

Alexander Isak remains a “magical player”, former Sweden international Stefan Schwarz has told GOAL, with the Liverpool striker being told what he needs in order to prove as much at Anfield. With a record-breaking price tag hanging around his neck, the former Newcastle frontman endured an injury-ravaged debut campaign on Merseyside that delivered just four goals.

Leeds United have been advised against inviting offers for USMNT star Brenden Aaronson, with Matt Kilgallon explaining to GOAL why the American forward was “like Lionel Messi” at times last season after finding his feet in English football. The all-action playmaker has finally won over a sceptical fan base at Elland Road, but is entering the final year of his contract.

Everyone associated with Nottingham Forest is desperate to see the club continue to call the City Ground home for the foreseeable future. Peter Shilton knows how special that venue is, but has told GOAL why he - along with supporters and prominent boardroom members - will be wrestling with “wrench” and “necessity” emotions in an era of rising matchday revenues.

Manchester United’s class of 2026 are not yet ready to compete for the Premier League title, Gary Pallister has told GOAL, but Michael Carrick is being credited with returning two crucial qualities to Old Trafford. The Red Devils surged back into the top four last season, securing Champions League qualification, and are in the hunt for a first domestic crown since 2013.

Cole Palmer has been made aware of what he needs to do in order to become a “great player”, with Frank Leboeuf admitting to GOAL that the Chelsea star’s World Cup snub with England will feel like a “big slap in the face”. The enigmatic playmaker remains a match-winner at Stamford Bridge, but his numbers have dipped year on year after making a dazzling start to his spell in west London.

Peter Shilton has explained to GOAL how VAR would have changed the course of history had it been around in 1986, as there would have been no ‘Hand of God’, individual wonder goal or World Cup win for Diego Maradona. Argentina’s mercurial No.10 quite literally carried his nation to global glory single-handedly on Mexican soil, with his most memorable performance being delivered against England at the quarter-final stage.

Brian Brobbey would be a “great signing for Manchester United”, former Sunderland defender Matt Kilgallon has told GOAL, with a £50 million ($66m) transfer making sense for all concerned. The powerful Netherlands international striker is currently on 2026 World Cup duty, but he is now Premier League proven and could be on the move at club level before the latest window closes.

Frank Lampard is, after overseeing promotion into the Premier League at Coventry, being backed to become a contender for the England manager’s top. Ex-Three Lions captain Terry Butcher has told GOAL why he is hoping to see more home-grown coaches compete for that prestigious post, with the likes of Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney not being ruled out of the equation just yet.

Eric Djemba-Djemba has explained to GOAL why Bryan Mbeumo was Manchester United’s best signing of 2025-26, with the Cameroon international able to conquer the biggest challenge that any move to Old Trafford presents. The former Brentford forward enjoyed a productive debut campaign at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’, with value for money being found in a £71 million ($94m) transfer.

Legendary former Sunderland boss Peter Reid has admitted to GOAL that he did not give the Black Cats “a prayer” of securing European qualification at the end of their first season back in the Premier League, but he is now backing them to find more “ammo” in the summer transfer window. Regis Le Bris and his board are ready to spend again after upsetting the odds with a seventh-place finish.

Christian Pulisic is considered to have “bailed out” AC Milan at times, but Ruud Gullit has told GOAL why the Rossoneri’s appointment of Ruben Amorim could be “very dangerous” for the USMNT star and other proven performers. A Portuguese coach that was sacked by Manchester United in January has returned to management in Italy, but will he repeat the mistakes that were made at Old Trafford?

Declan Rice’s £105 million ($139m) switch to Arsenal is considered to have helped him step up “two or three levels”, with ex-England captain Terry Butcher telling GOAL why a big-money transfer helped a Three Lions star of the present to join the global elite. Rice is considered to sit inside that talent pool as a Premier League title winner, World Cup hopeful, Ballon d’Or contender and future skipper of his country.

As the Pep Guardiola versus Sir Alex Ferguson debate rages on, Peter Shilton has told GOAL how legendary Nottingham Forest boss Brian Clough compares to iconic managers of the modern era. One of the most charismatic coaches to ever grace a dugout would have relished the opportunity to lock tactical horns with the likes of Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti.

Hayden Hackney is a man in demand, with former Middlesbrough star Gary Pallister telling GOAL why the talented midfielder could tread a similar career path to England international and £130 million ($172m) Manchester City transfer target Elliot Anderson. Having proven himself in the EFL ranks, classy playmaker Hackney is ready to take the Premier League by storm.

The sight of Terry Butcher soaked in blood is forever etched into the memory of England supporters, but which member of the Three Lions’ class of 2026 is most likely to recreate that image? The man himself has answered that question during an exclusive interview with GOAL, as warriors such as Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Harry Kane chase down World Cup glory.

José Mourinho has joked, during an exclusive appearance on the Beast Mode On Podcast, that he considers an ‘Invincibles’ campaign with Benfica in 2025-26 to be his ninth league title. No silverware was secured in Lisbon at the end of an unbeaten season, but the newly-appointed Real Madrid manager is rightly proud of an achievement that few clubs at the highest level can claim to have emulated.

Harry Kane has been backed to achieve something that no other Englishman has managed, with ex-Three Lions captain Terry Butcher telling GOAL why the record-setting striker can make more history. The evergreen frontman is considered to be Cristiano Ronaldo-esque when it comes to career longevity, meaning that a fourth World Cup finals could be graced.