Monaco may be the “only place in Europe where the players know the fans and the fans don't know the players”, Gilles Grimandi has admitted to GOAL, but Eric Dier has been saluted for continuing his late-career renaissance with the Ligue 1 giants. The former Tottenham star attracted criticism during his time in England, but has thrived since leaving north London.
Thibaut Courtois is still the “best” goalkeeper in world football, ex-Belgium international Philippe Albert has told GOAL, with the Real Madrid custodian considered to have fended off competition from the likes of David Raya, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Alisson. A standing at the very top of the global game has been enjoyed by Courtois for well over a decade.
Manuel Ugarte has endured a nightmare spell at Manchester United, with form and fitness proving difficult to come by, but Gus Poyet has told GOAL that his fellow Uruguayan may yet earn redemption and a second chance at Old Trafford. The South American midfielder is currently working his way back from surgery after suffering knee ligament damage at the 2026 World Cup.
Philippe Albert has told GOAL that Manchester City star Jeremy Doku is capable of hitting the heights scaled by fellow left wingers Vinicius Junior and Luis Diaz. The Belgium international forward has been made aware of where he needs to improve in order to join the global elite, with the tricky 24-year-old being accused of trying too much at times.
Adebayo Akinfenwa is joined by Everton midfielder Hayden Hackney on the Beast Mode On Podcast, with the 24-year-old midfielder opening up on his decision to leave Middlesbrough for the Toffees, his development under Michael Carrick and the crucial advice given to him by new manager David Moyes. Hackney also reveals why he's a fan of Mateo Kovacic, how he grew up idolising Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, what it was like being on the other side of the Southampton Spygate scandal and much more.
Inter Miami are the “perfect fit” for Neymar, former Brazil international Anderson has told GOAL, with the South American superstar being tipped to reunite with ex-Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi in MLS. Neymar has endured a tough time of late, but a fellow countryman has leapt to his defence in passionate fashion and hopes more critics can be silenced.
Lamine Camara is the “best player in France”, Gilles Grimandi has told GOAL, with the Monaco midfielder being tipped to star in the Premier League at some point in the not too distant future. A big-money transfer was expected to have been completed by now, with the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea keeping a close eye on the 22-year-old Senegal international.
Youri Tielemans joining Manchester United “surprised” Philippe Albert, but the former Belgium international has admitted to GOAL that it is “difficult to say no” when the Red Devils come calling. Another Premier League-proven addition to the Old Trafford engine room was made in the summer of 2026, with a boyhood dream being fulfilled in the process.
Ansu Fati was the man to inherit Barcelona’s No.10 shirt when Lionel Messi departed in 2021. Gilles Grimandi - who has been keeping a close eye on the Spanish forward at Monaco - has told GOAL that taking a GOAT jersey at Camp Nou did not “kill” the one-time wonderkid’s career, but it is impossible to ignore the fact that “great” potential has not been fulfilled.
The prolific No.9 is considered to be something of a dying breed in modern football, with creative playmakers now all the rage. There was a time though, not all that long ago, when fearsome strikers ruled the world. Luis Suarez formed part of that pack, but where does he rank in a generation that included Robert Lewandowski, Harry Kane and Karim Benzema? Fellow Uruguayan Gus Poyet has attempted to answer that question for GOAL.
Could Thierry Henry return to management at some stage, or take on a coaching role at Arsenal? Gilles Grimandi has explained to GOAL why his fellow Frenchman and former Gunners team-mate will not be rushing back into the dugout. He does, however, admit that it would be “lovely” to see the World Cup winner working with strikers at Emirates Stadium.
Belgium have been warned that they will be in “big trouble” when the day comes for Romelu Lukaku to retire, with Philippe Albert telling GOAL that the record-setting frontman is “one of the best strikers ever”. That big billing is supported by an impressive goal tally and enviable collection of major trophies, with the current Fenerbahce star boasting a weighty counter argument to any critics.
Moises Caicedo has, due to the position that he fills, drawn obvious comparisons with Chelsea legend Claude Makelele. Is the Ecuadorian deserving of such a big billing? Former Blues star Gus Poyet has explained to GOAL why another talismanic holding midfielder has a vital role to play at Stamford Bridge and how he can follow in the footsteps of some title-winning icons.
Cole Palmer has rediscovered his spark at Chelsea, with Blues legend Gus Poyet explaining to GOAL why the “happy” Stamford Bridge star can go on to scale the same heights as Gianfranco Zola and Eden Hazard. Palmer appeared destined to tread that path after moving to west London, but endured a testing 2025-26 campaign that saw exit talk generated.
Darwin Nunez is now 27 years of age and should be at the peak of his powers. The ex-Liverpool forward decided against returning to European football, and potentially the Premier League, during the last transfer window and remains in Saudi Arabia. Gus Poyet has explained to GOAL why his fellow Uruguayan took that stance, with a “crazy” contract being factored into the equation.
Kylian Mbappe has been chasing the Ballon d’Or dream since he was a teenager, with Gilles Grimandi telling GOAL why he was left “embarrassed” when first being made aware of that ambitious Golden Ball target. The ex-Arsenal star formed part of transfer talks at the time, with Mbappe’s family making it clear to the Gunners that the flying frontman intended to become the best player on the planet.
Gus Poyet knows what Tottenham supporters are like, having represented the club, and has told GOAL that “80 per cent” of Spurs fans will have feared that their team were set to “draw” with Coventry when heading into the final 10 minutes of that contest. In the end, Roberto De Zerbi’s side picked up a 3-1 win - with the north London outfit savouring their first Premier League success of 2026-27.
If Manchester City are hit with Financial Fair Play (FFP) sanctions that result in them being relegated out of the Premier League, could Arsenal be tempted to raid the Etihad Stadium for another winger? Gilles Grimandi has told GOAL he is “not convinced” that the Gunners would move for fleet-footed Belgian star Jeremy Doku or hard-running Ghana international Antoine Semenyo.
Antoine Griezmann is being backed to spend “two or three more years” in MLS. The legendary French forward is currently with Orlando City, meaning that he shares the Florida sunshine with fellow World Cup winner and Inter Miami talisman Lionel Messi. Gilles Grimandi has told GOAL why the 35-year-old can compete in the United States across several more seasons.
Dejan Kulusevski has returned to action after a 526-day injury-enforced absence, but will the Tottenham winger ever be the same again? Former Spurs star Gus Poyet has explained to GOAL why a cautious approach should serve the Swedish playmaker well, with there no need for any risks to be taken with a player that has finally awoken from his fitness nightmare.
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.
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