This is Legacy, GOAL's feature and podcast series following the road to the 2026 World Cup. Every week, we dive into the stories and the legacies that shaped football’s greatest nations. This time we turn to Germany, a nation once famed for producing the world’s deadliest strikers. From Gerd Müller to Miroslav Klose, the No.9 shirt was a symbol of power, precision, and pride. But since 2014, it’s become a question mark, a reflection of a team still searching for its next great finisher, and perhaps, for its own identity.

As we reach Christmas and approach the midway point in the Premier League season, the time has come to reflect on the first half of a campaign that has delivered drama and unexpected twists in abundance. It's also the opportune moment to assess those players who completed a transfer to, or within, the English top-flight back in the summer, with a decent sample size of games now under their belts.

Things are really heating up in the run-up to Christmas across Europe's top leagues, with Inter reclaiming top spot in Serie A, Lens surprisingly leading the way in Ligue 1 and Barcelona continuing to pile pressure on Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid. Over in Germany, though, it seems that nobody is really capable of dethroning Bayern Munich, but Premier League leaders Arsenal are looking more and more nervous with each passing week.

Nick Woltemade revealed a hilarious update on his rather lacklustre love life as the Newcastle summer signing admitted that he was single and is living with his best friend. The 23-year-old, who arrived from Stuttgart in a £69 million move just four months ago, lit up a pre-match press conference with his good humour when reporters showed interest in his private life.

Nick Woltemade has hit back at the “absurd” criticism aimed at Germany teammate Florian Wirtz after the Liverpool star’s slow start in the Premier League, insisting the £116 million signing will prove his quality in England. With Wirtz yet to score for Liverpool and facing scrutiny over his adaptation, Woltemade’s public defence adds fresh weight to calls for patience.

Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeness says the club gained a “huge advantage” by deciding against pursuing big-money moves for Benjamin Sesko, Xavi Simons and Jamie Gittens. The Bundesliga heavyweights were strongly linked with all three players before their respective switches to Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea in the summer.