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Ben McAleer

Ben McAleer

News writer & editor

📝 Bio: I am a freelance football expert with over 15 years’ experience in the industry. Having put the ‘free’ into freelance after graduating Bath Spa University with a degree in Media Communications in 2010, I was lucky enough to make the move into full-time work with football stats website WhoScored.com in 2013, progressing through the ranks until I became Head of Content in 2022 before leaving in 2025. I’ve been lucky enough to write about the sport I love for well over a decade, which includes the privilege of attending some of the biggest games in the Premier League and Champions League.

âšœ My Football Story: A frustrated Tottenham fan, I can recall my first ever match at White Hart Lane as my dad dragged me along to a drab 0-0 draw with Wimbledon in January 1999. While it hardly set the world alight, this was the match that remarkably made me fall in love with the beautiful game. Since then, I’ve been to countless games at home and abroad, as both a fan and as press, letting out a sound that no man should make as Dele Alli scored that goal at Crystal Palace. I’ve also had the privilege of seeing the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the flesh.

🎯 Areas of Expertise:

  • Expert opinion & analysis
  • Sub-editing
  • Scout reports
  • News writing & editing
  • Premier League, Champions League, Europa League & European football
  • Betting

🌟 Favourite Footballing Memory: Travelling to Wembley for the 2008 Carling Cup final as Tottenham beat Chelsea thanks to Jonathan Woodgate’s face. It was the longest 120 minutes of my life but the relief as the full-time whistle blew
 gives me goosebumps to this day. Taking my son to his first ever Tottenham game, albeit a pre-season one, also fills me with a sense of pride, even if he does insist he now supports Arsenal


Articles by Ben McAleer
  1. Arsenal revealed as Semenyo's preferred move from Bournemouth

    Arsenal have been revealed as Antoine Semenyo's preferred destination had the Gunners firmed up their interest in the Bournemouth star. Semenyo is expected to leave the Cherries in the New Year following a fine start to the season, during which he has scored eight goals and provided three assists. A host of Premier League sides have been credited with an interest in the 25-year-old.

  2. Gerrard admits he turned down 'perfect' job offer

    Steven Gerrard has confessed that he may not return to football management anytime soon having turned down the 'perfect' Rangers job earlier this year. The Liverpool icon was heavily linked with a return to the Ibrox hotseat following Russell Martin's 123-day spell as Gers boss. However, despite coming close to a return to Glasgow, Gerrard opted against taking over the Rangers reins.

  3. Heaven lifts lid on Amorim's formation changes in Man Utd win

    Ayden Heaven has lifted the lid on Ruben Amorim's formation change after Manchester United's 1-0 win over Newcastle on Friday night. Patrick Dorgu's stunning first half strike at Old Trafford was enough to secure all the spoils as United returned to winning ways at the Magpies' expense on Boxing Day. The victory saw Amorim's side go level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea.

  4. Chelsea legend in contention for first managerial role

    John Terry is in contention to take over as next Oxford United boss following Gary Rowett's exit two days before Christmas. The U's had won only one of their last 10 league matches, a run of form that cost Rowett his job at Kassam Stadium a year after his appointment. The 51-year-old had led Oxford to survival and a second season in the Championship having succeed Des Buckingham last December.

  5. Maresca reveals why he wouldn't swap Palmer for Rogers

    Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has revealed the reason he wouldn't swap Cole Palmer for Morgan Rogers ahead of Aston Villa's Boxing Day clash at Stamford Bridge. Unai Emery's side make the trip to the capital in a bid to extend their winning run to eight matches following their 2-1 victory over Manchester United at Villa Park last weekend, a result that keeps the Villans in the title race.

  1. Chelsea boss Maresca responds to Semenyo transfer talk

    Enzo Maresca has responded to transfer speculation linking Chelsea with a move for Antoine Semenyo. The Bournemouth ace is being courted by a number of Premier League sides ahead of the January transfer window with the Ghana star's fine form for the Cherries a key reason behind interest in his services from a number of the division's big hitters this winter.

  2. Why Man Utd failed in bid to sign Antoine Semenyo

    The reasoning behind Manchester United's doomed pursuit of Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo has been revealed. Semenyo is a man in demand ahead of the January transfer window with a number of Premier League heavyweights courting the Cherries forward. United were among those keen on the Ghana star, who has scored eight league goals and provided three assists so far this season.

  3. Man Utd flop Sancho drops cryptic Instagram message

    Jadon Sancho has dropped a cryptic message on Instagram as the winger continues to struggle to reignite his stalling career. Sancho joined Aston Villa on loan from Manchester United over the summer with the hopes of returning to his best form having failed to make his mark following his ÂŁ73m move to Old Trafford from German side Borussia Dortmund back in 2021.

  4. Van de Ven apologises to Isak following 'reckless' tackle

    Tottenham centre-back Micky van de Ven has revealed that he has sent an apology to Liverpool striker Alexander Isak after inadvertently injuring the Reds hitman at the weekend. Isak is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines having undergone successful surgery on a leg fracture earlier this week sustained during Liverpool's 2-1 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.

  5. Bellingham shown straight red as miserable Dortmund start continues

    Jobe Bellingham's miserable start to life in Germany continued on Sunday as the England U21 international was shown a straight red card in Borussia Dortmund's disappointing 1-1 draw with Freiburg. The younger brother of Real Madrid star Jude joined the Bundesliga giants from Sunderland over the summer after playing a starring role in the Black Cats' promotion, but has struggled to find his feet at Signal Iduna Park.