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Jose Mourinho is heading back to Real Madrid, but is he worth the “rubbish” that comes with him and does the ‘Special One’ still guarantee success? Ex-Blancos star Michael Owen has, during an exclusive interview with GOAL, delivered his assessment of a surprise appointment at Santiago Bernabeu and predicted whether the enigmatic Portuguese will last a full season in the most demanding of roles.

Bukayo Saka has registered just 13 Premier League goals for Arsenal across the last two campaigns, with ex-England winger Chris Waddle telling GOAL where the Gunners forward needs to improve - with Mohamed Salah being held up as inspiration. There has never been any doubting Saka’s creative instincts, but his game could be taken to another level if end product were to be delivered in greater numbers.

Toby Alderweireld has told GOAL why Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku is “pure football”, with the tricky forward considered to be a “dangerous” operator that can illuminate the 2026 World Cup with Belgium. Fans across the globe are looking for creative performers of that ilk to get them off their seats as the best players on the planet descend on North America and prepare to compete for ultimate glory.

Darren Anderton has told GOAL that Harry Kane “still has a few years left” in him, with England’s record goalscorer bar expected to be set pretty “high” for those that follow in the most illustrious of footsteps. The current Three Lions captain and talismanic No.9 has 79 international efforts to his name at present, and is showing no sign of slowing down.

Danny Murphy has explained to GOAL why Liam Rosenior, on the back of his Chelsea flop, would be “too much of a risk” for Fulham to offer the 41-year-old an immediate return to Premier League management. The former Cottagers star has also assessed the chances of Frank Lampard returning to west London following his promotion-winning heroics at Coventry.

England have been waiting 60 years for football to “come home”, so could that finally happen in 2026? Michael Owen has told GOAL that a trophy will be secured at some point, with Thomas Tuchel considered to have taken inspiration from Sir Gareth Southgate as he endeavours to guide the Three Lions one stage further than his predecessor managed.

Santiago Gimenez failed to register a single Serie A goal for AC Milan during the 2025-26 campaign, with legendary Mexican striker Jared Borgetti explaining his fellow countryman’s struggles to GOAL. Despite enduring a tough time at club level, leading to inevitable transfer talk, the 25-year-old forward is still looking forward to starring at a home World Cup finals.

Thomas Tuchel has been handed a contract extension by the Football Association without proving his worth at a first major tournament, with Robbie Fowler telling GOAL that the German tactician “has to win” the 2026 World Cup in order to justify that show of faith. The former Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich boss was appointed by the Three Lions due to his track record of delivering tangible success.

Jack Grealish “having a pint” is actually “quite refreshing” in the modern era, Everton legend Peter Reid has told GOAL, with fans on Merseyside hoping to see a deal struck in the summer transfer window that brings a colourful character back to the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Manchester City-owned Grealish saw a productive loan spell with the Toffees in 2025-26 cut short by injury.

Evangelos Marinakis has made believers of doubters at Nottingham Forest, with Jack Colback admitting to GOAL that he falls into that category as the enigmatic Greek looks to guide the Reds towards major trophies and Champions League qualification. Those targets are expected to be hit, with the most ambitious of owners drawing up grand plans for the future.

Harry Kane does not need to savour World Cup glory with England in order to become the 2026 Ballon d’Or winner, Robbie Fowler has told GOAL, with remarkable goalscoring exploits at Bayern Munich ensuring that he is “in the conversation”. The prolific No.9 is hoping to be named the best player on the planet after maintaining stunning individual standards with club and country.

Estevao has got Chelsea fans excited about what the future could have in store, with Gary Cahill telling GOAL why the Brazilian wonderkid is capable of reaching the wing wizard bar set by Eden Hazard and Arjen Robben. The Blues have always boasted creativity and flair on the flanks, with another exciting talent emerging that the Stamford Bridge faithful “can’t get enough of”.

Kylian Mbappe is being backed to play in the Premier League at some point, with Louis Saha telling GOAL why Manchester United would be a “good destination” for his fellow Frenchman. The World Cup-winning frontman is currently on the books of La Liga giants Real Madrid, but another high-profile transfer in upcoming windows could see a path that leads to England open up.

England have never come up against Lionel Messi, and Robbie Fowler has told GOAL why the 2026 World Cup could be the perfect occasion in which to cross paths with the Argentine GOAT. The ex-Three Lions frontman says the 2022 champion should not scare Thomas Tuchel’s side, while a reunion with old adversaries Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal should also be embraced.

Declan Rice is “up there” with the best midfielders that England have ever produced, Peter Reid has told GOAL, as the Arsenal talisman has joined a talent bracket that includes the likes of Steven Gerrard and Bryan Robson. That is a big billing, but the newly-crowned Premier League title winner will want to justify it when starring at the 2026 World Cup.

Luka Modric could be considered unique, given all that he has achieved, but Ivan Perisic has told GOAL that Croatia are capable of producing another Ballon d’Or winner in the future. The most decorated performer to emerge from that part of the world collected a prestigious Golden Ball in 2018. More “great talent” continues to drop off the production line, leaving hopes high when it comes to creating another member of the global elite.

Harry Kane will “half want to come back” to the Premier League once his adventure at Bayern Munich is over, Peter Reid has told GOAL. An England icon of the past would like to see one of the present make his way to Everton, but appreciates that may be slightly ambitious and has explained what makes the Three Lions’ all-time leading goalscorer special.

Brad Friedel has - during an exclusive interview with GOAL - sought to play down expectations around “poster boy” Christian Pulisic, but considers four other players to sit alongside ‘Captain America’ in the USMNT’s “undroppable” pool. The United States are considered to be working with a ‘Golden Generation’ of talent as a home World Cup is taken in.

Harry Kane will be leading England’s quest for World Cup glory in 2026, but can the prolific Bayern Munich striker make history by becoming the first man to win two Golden Boots? Ex-Three Lions frontman Robbie Fowler has told GOAL that target can be hit while moving ever closer to an exclusive club that is currently occupied by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Rayan Cherki is being backed to justify comparisons with Zinedine Zidane, as Louis Saha tells GOAL why the enigmatic Manchester City playmaker can become even better now that Pep Guardiola has left the Etihad Stadium. The most demanding of coaches helped to keep a tight leash on Cherki, but the World Cup-bound midfielder should benefit from a little more leeway when working under a new manager in the Premier League.

Jude Bellingham at Liverpool is a transfer that could be agreed at some point in the future, Reds legend Robbie Fowler has told GOAL, with the England international midfielder being told where his game can still improve. The all-action 22-year-old remains on the books of Real Madrid for now, but a Premier League challenge may be sought once his Spanish adventure comes to a close.

Paul Pogba has, following a disappointing return to competitive action at Monaco, been given two reasons why moves to MLS or the Saudi Pro League may be perfect at this stage of his career. John Arne Riise is among those to have been left frustrated at seeing the former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder flop in France and fail to reignite a lost spark.

Cristiano Ronaldo does not want to win the World Cup “because of Lionel Messi”, Eric Djemba-Djemba has told GOAL, with the Portuguese GOAT driven by an insatiable desire to succeed. A global title on North American soil this summer would, however, complete the 41-year-old’s medal collection and see him emulate the achievements of his eternal rival.

Robert Lewandowski is about to hit free agency, as his Barcelona contract expires, with Louis Saha telling GOAL why the prolific Polish striker could be a useful addition for Manchester United. The Frenchman believes a similar impact to that made by Zlatan Ibrahimovic could be enjoyed at Old Trafford, but the addition of a Kylian Mbappe-esque forward is considered to be of more pressing importance to Premier League heavyweights.

Steven Gerrard has been used to explain why Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice cannot be considered a Ballon d’Or contender “just yet”, with Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler telling GOAL why the Gunners talisman “needs to go up a notch” in order to join the global elite. That path is still being trodden by the all-action 27-year-old, who will soon be on World Cup duty with England.

The former striker feels grateful to have played alongside the two legends.