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Chris Burton Author Image

Chris Burton

Senior News Writer

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.

Articles by Chris Burton
  1. Stick or twist? Rohl the subject of Rangers ‘trust’ prediction

    Rangers are being backed to “trust” Danny Rohl, rather than join Celtic in the market for a new manager, with Alan Hutton telling GOAL why the German deserves time at Ibrox after inheriting “a mess”. A demanding fan base in Glasgow has been airing its frustration, with questions being asked of those on and off the field, but the Gers are being urged to favour stability in the dugout.

  2. Slot future hint? Alonso ‘would have waited’ for Liverpool

    John Arne Riise has explained to GOAL why Arne Slot appears set to fend off sack threats at Liverpool, with it being claimed that Xabi Alonso “would have waited” for the Reds if they were interested. The World Cup winner is heading back to the Premier League, but his next port of call will be Stamford Bridge with Chelsea - rather than the familiar surroundings of Anfield.

  3. Aston Villa ‘might look at’ £100m transfer offers for Rogers

    Morgan Rogers has helped Aston Villa back into the Champions League, but would offers of £100 million-plus ($134m) for the England international be listened to in the next transfer window? Alan Hutton admits that nine-figure fees for the talented playmaker may prove difficult to turn down, with the Villans able to reinvest those funds in a bid to become regulars at European football’s top table.

  4. Chelsea’s Player of the Year? ‘Standout performer’ gets the nod

    The 2025-26 campaign has been a testing one for Chelsea, but who deserves to see their contribution recognised as the club’s Player of the Year? Former Blues defender Gary Cahill has made his pick during an exclusive interview with GOAL. Joao Pedro, on the back of his £60 million ($80m) transfer to Stamford Bridge, is considered to have outperformed the likes of Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez.

  5. ‘Great story’ at Chelsea used as inspiration for Derry & Co

    Reece James is considered to be a “great story” at Chelsea that acts as inspiration for the likes of Jesse Derry and other starry-eyed academy hopefuls. The Blues have always kept a pathway open to their first-team for the hottest of prospects, but Gary Cahill has explained to GOAL why it is “natural” that said journey will sometimes prove difficult to complete.

  6. USMNT star Wright the subject of ‘big bid’ transfer prediction

    Haji Wright helped Coventry to promotion in 2025-26, but Clinton Morrison has told GOAL that the USMNT star may struggle to become a 15-goal Premier League striker. With that in mind, as another transfer window prepares to swing open this summer, could the United States international be the subject of a “big bid” that takes him away from Frank Lampard’s squad?

  7. How do Arsenal solve full-back ‘worry’ & Kvaratskhelia problem?

    Arsenal find themselves short on right-back options heading towards the Champions League final, with Ray Parlour admitting to GOAL that is a “worry” given the considerable threat that Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will pose. The Gunners are set to face Paris Saint-Germain - the reigning kings of Europe - on May 30, but how will they solve their defensive issues and contain one of the best wingers in the business?

  8. ‘Hasn't been anywhere near it’ - Kyogo transfer conundrum

    Former Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi poses quite the conundrum for Tom Brady and Birmingham, with ex-Blues star Clinton Morrison speculating with GOAL on what the summer transfer window could have in store. The Japan international, who previously starred in British football during a productive stint at Parkhead, has become a £10 million ($13m) flop in the West Midlands.

  1. No regrets? Final-bound Palace give Forest food for thought

    Crystal Palace lined up a first European campaign on the back of their historic FA Cup win in 2025 and are now bound for the Conference League final. That is not the competition that they expected to grace, but a protracted qualification squabble with Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest delivered a change of plans. Ex-Eagles star Clinton Morrison has told GOAL why there should not be any regrets in south London or the East Midlands.

  2. New Wenger! Will Arteta match Arsenal longevity of iconic boss?

    Invincibles star Ray Parlour has told GOAL how Mikel Arteta can become Arsenal’s new Arsene Wenger and match the longevity enjoyed by one of the Gunners’ most iconic former managers. The north London outfit are in the process of chasing down a Premier League and Champions League double, and major silverware will help to keep their Spanish coach in his current surroundings for the foreseeable future.

  3. Wharton price set! Transfer tip amid Man Utd & Liverpool links

    Crystal Palace will have set an asking price for Adam Wharton, Clinton Morrison has told GOAL, with it possible that Conference League glory will not be enough to keep the Manchester United and Liverpool-linked midfielder at Selhurst Park. Interest in the talented 22-year-old is expected to be formalised during the summer transfer window, with a big-money deal on the cards.

  4. Brady vs Reynolds: Who will win race to the Premier League?

    Birmingham City and Wrexham remain locked in a battle to reach the Premier League, but will Tom Brady or Ryan Reynolds be celebrating first? Ex-Blues striker Clinton Morrison has delivered his bold prediction during an exclusive interview with GOAL, as two teams with famous faces in their respective boardrooms are tipped to spend big again while taking aim at the Promised Land.

  5. Ninth for Messi? Argentine GOAT & Yamal told how they win BdO

    Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal has been informed of what needs to happen in order for him to become a Ballon d’Or contender in 2026, while Ruud Gullit has told GOAL why a ninth triumph for Argentine GOAT Lionel Messi cannot be ruled out. The title of best player on the planet will likely be bestowed upon a superstar performer that illuminates this summer’s World Cup.

  6. ‘His club’ - Could £35m Johnson go ‘home’ to Forest from Palace?

    Brennan Johnson only joined Crystal Palace in a club-record £35 million ($47m) deal during the January transfer window of 2026, but could the Wales international go “home” to Nottingham Forest over the summer? Former Eagles striker Clinton Morrison doubts that a deal will be done, but has told GOAL why nothing can be ruled out as changes on and off the field are lined up at Selhurst Park.

  7. ‘Foden’s not happening’ but Lampard backed to land ‘big name’

    Coventry have been told that “Phil Foden’s not happening”, as some bold transfer shouts are made on the back of securing promotion into the Premier League, but Clinton Morrison has told GOAL why Frank Lampard can land big names. The Sky Blues are already in the process of identifying targets that can help them to compete in the big time, with their Chelsea legend boss set to act as a recruitment trump card.

  8. Saka crowns Dowman as Arsenal's top academy talent

    Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka considers Max Dowman to be the brightest star emerging from the Gunners' fabled Hale End academy system. The England international has also picked out his personal favourite goal from a distinguished career in north London and told Adebayo Akinfenwa of the best advice he ever received from the coaches that he has worked under.