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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. ‘Bare minimum’ target set for £116m Wirtz after double flop

    Florian Wirtz endured a difficult debut season at Liverpool on the back of his £116 million ($155m) transfer to Anfield, with Danny Murphy telling GOAL that double figures for goals and assists will be the “bare minimum” requirement in 2026-27. The Germany international is aware that patience can only stretch so far when it comes to making a telling contribution to the collective cause.

  2. Next Zola or Hazard? What Palmer is missing at Chelsea

    Cole Palmer’s spectacular debut season at Chelsea saw him earn comparisons with Blues legends Gianfranco Zola and Eden Hazard, but Tony Cascarino has told GOAL what the talented playmaker needs to do in order to emulate icons of the past. Palmer’s output in west London has been heading in the wrong direction, with a fading spark needing to be rekindled.

  3. Stay or go? Gibbs-White told Forest can massage No.10 ‘ego’

    Morgan Gibbs-White can see his No.10 “ego” massaged at Nottingham Forest, Reds legend Des Walker has told GOAL, with there no need for a transfer elsewhere to be considered. The England international playmaker is a proven Premier League performer, which means that he inevitably attracts interest, but “main man” status can continue to be enjoyed at the City Ground.

  4. Keane x O’Neill: Celtic get managerial partnership advice

    Celtic should consider bringing Robbie Keane in alongside Martin O’Neill at some stage, Tony Cascarino has told GOAL, with the perfect managerial mentor in place at Parkhead for a potential head coach of the future. The Hoops are placing trust in a familiar face for now, but are aware of the need to find a long-term successor to their evergreen 74-year-old boss.

  5. ‘Recency bias’ impacts Kane & England GOAT debate

    Harry Kane forms part of GOAT conversations in the England national team, but former Three Lions striker Stan Collymore has explained to GOAL how “recency bias” impacts that debate and why a “pool” of greats should be celebrated rather than singling out individuals. Kane is currently enjoying the best form of his career, with World Cup glory being pursued in North America.

  6. Foden or Eze to Villa unlikely even if Rogers goes for £130m

    Morgan Rogers has seen a big-money transfer away from Aston Villa speculated on - potentially at £130 million ($175m) - but Stan Collymore has told GOAL why the likes of Phil Foden and Eberechi Eze are unlikely to be targeted as potential replacements for their fellow England international. Unai Emery is expected to bolster his ranks with a different type of player.

  7. How do you keep Haaland quiet? Ex-England star explains ‘key’

    England need to find the answer to one big question at the 2026 World Cup: How do you keep Erling Haaland quiet? Ex-Three Lions defender Des Walker has attempted to provide a solution during an exclusive interview with GOAL, ahead of Thomas Tuchel’s side taking in an eagerly-anticipated quarter-final clash with Norway at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Saturday.

  1. Two reasons given for Kane’s remarkable World Cup form

    Harry Kane has been in the form of his life across 2025-26, including at the World Cup finals, with former England international Danny Murphy explaining to GOAL why the prolific frontman is at the peak of his powers. There are considered to be two important reasons why the Three Lions’ record-breaking captain is performing at a career-best level.

  2. Not Balogun! Villa prediction sees keeper preferred to USMNT star

    Aston Villa have been credited with interest in Folarin Balogun, but Stan Collymore has told GOAL why Unai Emery is likely to favour another 2026 World Cup star over a United States international that made plenty of headlines at FIFA’s flagship event. The Villans are looking to bolster their ranks from back to front during the summer, with comings and goings being mooted.

  3. Can Forest keep Murillo for 10 years? No need for transfer

    Nottingham Forest will be hoping to see Brazilian defender Murillo spend another decade at the City Ground, with legendary former Reds centre-half Des Walker telling GOAL why the enigmatic South American can hit individual targets without seeking a transfer elsewhere. A long-term contract is ensuring that no sale needs to be considered any time soon.

  4. Mbappe revenge mission! Messi is in France superstar’s head

    Kylian Mbappe is on a Lionel Messi-themed revenge mission at the 2026 World Cup, Louis Saha has told GOAL, with France’s talismanic striker determined to right a few wrongs from Qatar 2022. Final agony - despite scoring a hat-trick against Argentina - was endured in the Middle East, but positive progress has been made through another major competition on North American soil.