Bio: If you can’t make a living from playing the game, then make one writing about it. I did my best to tick the first of those boxes, but it was not to be. I have been working hard at the latter for the best part of two decades and joined the collection of international stars that make up team GOAL in 2016. I am now Senior Staff Writer, which means my days are spent covering everything that the sometimes weird and often wonderful world of football has to offer. I have always been a fan of mercurial talents and love an underdog story, which goes some way to explaining why - alongside my East Midlands roots - Nottingham Forest are (for better or worse) my team of choice.
My Football Story: From the local playing field with friends, all through school, representing teams at various levels and facing a number of future professionals, to endless hours spent at the City Ground, a university degree and professional employment that has taken me to iconic venues across the country, football has always been the thread that ties my past, present and future together. I wouldn’t have it any other way and consider myself fortunate that I have been able to pass my passion for the game down to my son, who now finds himself heading down a similar path.
Areas of Expertise:
Nottingham Forest Football Club - with there always a lot going on there
News sourcing and writing - identifying what real fans want to talk about
Interviews - don’t believe those that say you shouldn’t interact with your heroes
Analysis & insight - not just explaining what happened, but how and why
Favourite Footballing Memory: I was too young to have witnessed Nottingham Forest’s European glory years and not yet old enough to have seen them add a third star to that famous Garibaldi shirt, being at Wembley as a 23-year wait for Premier League football came to a close will always be a special experience. I don’t remember much about the game itself, given the nerve-shredding nature of play-off finals, but the celebrations afterwards made enough memories to last several lifetimes.
Kylian Mbappe came “very close” to joining Arsenal as a teenage wonderkid. Gills Grimandi formed part of transfer talks at the time, and the former Gunners star has told GOAL that there remains an outside chance of the Real Madrid ‘Galactico’ enhancing the French legacy in north London. A deal is not expected to be done any time soon, but nothing can be entirely ruled out.
Manchester City are seeing a tumble into the Championship speculated on, as their long-running Financial Fair Play (FFP) case stumbles towards a conclusion, and that situation could play into the hands of Kalvin Phillips. The England international midfielder has become a forgotten man at the Etihad Stadium, as he takes in another loan at Sheffield United, but Matt Kilgallon has told GOAL that a clean slate could be offered in the second tier.
Arsenal, having endured final heartache last season, are back in the hunt for Champions League glory in 2026-27. Gilles Grimandi has told GOAL that the Gunners could be considered the second best team in Europe at present - behind reigning kings Paris Saint-Germain and above La Liga giants Barcelona - while also answering a difficult Premier League title question.
Scott McTominay is yet to sign a new contract at Napoli, which has led to inevitable transfer talk being generated. Pat Nevin has told GOAL what could happen next when it comes to the Scotland international, with a Jose Mourinho reunion at Real Madrid being mooted for the ex-Manchester United star alongside a potential return to the Premier League.
A return to Arsenal for Folarin Balogun has been ruled out, but Gilles Grimandi has told GOAL why the USMNT striker could thrive in the Premier League when heading to an alternative destination. The New York native saw a move to Everton collapse during the last transfer window, but more interest in his services is expected to be shown across 2027.
Arsenal remain in the hunt for an elite left winger, but Gilles Grimandi has explained to GOAL why “special” Paris Saint-Germain superstar Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is likely to fall out of reach. The Champions League-winning Georgian would be a “dream” addition at Emirates Stadium, but his current employers have no intention of selling and would set the biggest of asking prices if transfer talks were to be opened.
Chelsea are - in Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro - considered to boast the Premier League’s best front three, so how do the Blues become genuine top-flight title contenders? Former Blues star Pat Nevin has answered that question for GOAL, with Moises Caicedo considered to have a key role to play in trophy tilts at Stamford Bridge.
Brenden Aaronson has been told what must be added to his game in order to avoid being outgrown by Leeds United, with Matt Kilgallon admitting to GOAL that the USMNT star is “not quite fitting in” at present. A new contract has been signed by the American forward at Elland Road, but he has started to slip down the Premier League pecking order under Daniel Farke.
Cristiano Ronaldo is being tipped to move into management when the day comes for record-shattering boots to be hung up, with former Manchester United star Danny Simpson telling GOAL that a stunning arrangement with David Beckham in MLS cannot be ruled out. Lionel Messi is currently starring in the United States, but could CR7 head to Inter Miami as a coach?
Manchester United may be losing their “ego” battle with teenage wonderkid JJ Gabriel, but Paul Parker has told GOAL that the Red Devils still boast global “appeal” and will be able to both acquire and retain exciting talent heading forward. For now, the Premier League heavyweights appear destined to part company with a 16-year-old that has been making plenty of headlines.
Amid Estevao’s struggles for regular game time in the 2026-27 campaign, Pat Nevin has explained to GOAL why the Brazilian wonder is a “great player, but probably not for Chelsea”. The 19-year-old forward finds himself stuck behind Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers at Stamford Bridge, leading to inevitable transfer speculation being sparked.
Could Manchester City’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) saga, which has thrust spending restrictions back under the spotlight, see talk of a European Super League revived? Ex-Blues star Danny Mills has told GOAL why that concept remains flawed, with the LIV Golf experiment being used as a warning for football clubs and authorities that may be tempted to break away from the establishment.
Jack Grealish will become a free agent in the summer of 2027 when his contract at Manchester City expires - the one signed when moving to the Etihad Stadium for £100 million ($133m). He is currently taking in a second loan spell at Everton, with former Toffees star Pat Nevin explaining to GOAL why the emotional draw of Aston Villa may not be enough to take the England international away from Merseyside.
Manchester United are being tipped to invite offers for Mason Mount across transfer windows in 2027, with the England international midfielder being written off as an expensive flop. Having cost the Red Devils £55 million ($73m) when joining from Chelsea, Paul Parker has - during an exclusive interview with GOAL - questioned whether the 27-year-old has fully committed to delivering on expectations at Old Trafford.
Jordan Henderson has been a divisive character at times over the course of his domestic and international career - mainly among supporters - but top managers such as Jurgen Klopp, Thomas Tuchel and Xabi Alonso all love him. Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin has explained to GOAL why that is the case, with the ex-Liverpool captain having moved to Stamford Bridge as a free agent in 2026.
Michael Owen has explained to GOAL when Jude Bellingham could become England’s GOAT. Roy Keane claimed recently, after watching the 23-year-old on international duty, that the all-action midfielder is on course to be "one of the greatest players of all time". Former Real Madrid and Three Lions star Owen agrees with that rather bold assessment.
Ethan Ampadu has ridden quite the professional rollercoaster over the course of his career, with former Leeds defender Matt Kilgallon assessing that journey during an exclusive interview with GOAL. The versatile Wales international has gone from joining Chelsea at the age of 16, finding himself “way off it” during a loan spell at Sheffield United before becoming a talismanic “leader” of men at Elland Road.
With sack talk hanging over Old Trafford, as Eddie Howe is mooted as a potential successor to Michael Carrick in the Manchester United managerial hot seat, who is the best option to guide the Red Devils forward? Premier League title winner Paul Parker has attempted to answer that question for GOAL, with some season-defining decisions needing to be made.
In the latest instalment of GOAL’s ‘Brits Abroad’ series, a man that started playing at the age of three and graced the Premier League with Manchester United before ending up in Lausanne talks learning French, Xbox unwinding and what to do in Switzerland
Leeds United handed a new contract to Brenden Aaronson after seeing the USMNT star head towards the final year of his previous deal, with Matt Kilgallon telling GOAL why those terms are much more than a transfer fee ploy. The Whites could have found themselves in a tricky position over the summer, as they mulled over a potential sale, but have avoided those difficult conversations for now.
