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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. Should Memphis have achieved more? Forward lacks Bruno quality

    Memphis Depay has represented the likes of Manchester United and Barcelona, while earning 108 caps for the Netherlands, but he has never truly starred for an elite club. Rene Meulensteen has explained to GOAL why the lack of a Bruno Fernandes-esque quality has prevented his fellow Dutchman - who is now in Brazil with Corinthians - from unlocking full potential.

  2. Reprieve after bomb squad duty? Chelsea ‘looking’ at Disasi

    Axel Disasi formed part of the infamous Chelsea “bomb squad” under Enzo Maresca, and was loaned out by Liam Rosenior, but the French defender has been told that his parent club will be “looking back at him”. That is the opinion of former Blues star Glen Johnson, who has told GOAL that a stint at West Ham could earn Disasi a fresh start at Stamford Bridge under a new boss.

  3. ‘Need another body’ - Leeds backed for spend in key area

    Tony Dorigo has explained to GOAL why Leeds are likely to spend on another striker in the summer transfer window of 2026, with the Whites being warned against “standing still”. Shrewd recruitment on the back of securing promotion into the Premier League has ensured that top-flight football will remain at Elland Road next season, but more business is required in key areas of the field.

  4. ‘Quite a few clubs’ tipped to step Greenwood interest

    Mason Greenwood is being tipped to attract interest from “quite a few clubs” as exit doors begin to swing open at Marseille, with Chris Waddle telling GOAL why the ex-Manchester United forward has been a “definite success” in France. The one-cap England international moved to Stade Velodrome in the summer of 2024 and has delivered under immense pressure.

  5. Murillo & Van de Ven: Will Liverpool sign two centre-halves?

    Liverpool are in the market for defensive reinforcements, with Glen Johnson telling GOAL why raids on Nottingham Forest and Tottenham for Murillo and Micky van de Ven make a lot of sense for the Reds. Another transfer window will swing open this summer, with Premier League heavyweights at Anfield needing to strengthen across the heart of their back four.

  6. ‘Only certainty’ - Why Pep, Klopp & Mourinho would snub Chelsea

    Former Chelsea player and manager Ruud Gullit has explained to GOAL why the Blues are no longer appealing for top bosses and would be snubbed by the likes of Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho and Jurgen Klopp. The Premier League heavyweights were once in the market for the best players and coaches available, but the lack of stability in west London has seen their mass appeal wane.

  7. O’Reilly backed to nail down England role for ‘next decade’

    Nico O’Reilly has been tipped to nail down England’s left-back berth for “the next decade”, with Michael Gray explaining to GOAL why the Manchester City star is an “incredible talent”. With the versatile 21-year-old expected to become a mainstay in the Three Lions’ defence over the course of a 10-year period, what does that mean for United full-back Luke Shaw?

  8. ‘Test their resolve’ - Chelsea told to brace for Palmer bids

    Chelsea have been advised to brace themselves for Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez transfer bids, with Tony Dorigo telling GOAL that domestic and European rivals will be ready to test the Blues’ “resolve”. Failure to secure qualification for continental competition in 2026-27 will leave the Premier League heavyweights vulnerable to raids from afar, with key men already attracting admiring glances.

  9. Frank’s redemption at Sunderland? ‘Crazy’ change addressed

    Sunderland have enjoyed a memorable first season back in the Premier League, but that has not stopped rumours of managerial change from surfacing - with Thomas Frank being linked with the Black Cats on the back of his surprising flop at Tottenham. Stadium of Light legend Michael Gray has addressed the “crazy” talk of change on Wearside during an exclusive interview with GOAL.

  1. Chelsea on Spurs’ slippery slope? Gullit on how to avoid that

    Chelsea have seen old adversaries Tottenham suffer a humbling fall from grace, but could the Blues find themselves on the same slippery slope in a season of three managers and potential failure to qualify for Europe? Blues legend Ruud Gullit hopes that fate can be avoided, with the Dutchman explaining to GOAL how Paris Saint-Germain need to be used as a source of inspiration.

  2. Keane backed to bring quality to Celtic that Ange would lack

    Robbie Keane would be a “great addition” for Celtic, Michael Gray has told GOAL, with the former Hoops loanee being backed to bring a coaching quality to Parkhead that any return for Ange Postecoglou would lack. The Old Firm giants find themselves back in the market for a new head coach, with a couple of familiar faces figuring prominently in collective thoughts.

  3. Benitez warning! Chelsea a big risk for Liverpool icon Alonso

    Former Chelsea and Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has told GOAL why Xabi Alonso would be taking a big risk by agreeing to fill “the hottest seat in world football” at Stamford Bridge. With strong ties to Anfield, the World Cup winner is said to be in contention for a Premier League return in west London. Rafa Benitez has previously trodden that path, and proved how difficult it can be to win over supporters that will demand immediate results.

  4. ‘Not too far’ - Ronaldo could grace 2030 World Cup in Portugal

    Cristiano Ronaldo could grace the 2030 World Cup, former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen has told GOAL, as a home finals in Portugal are “not too far” away for the history-making GOAT. The Al-Nassr superstar may be 41 years of age, but the evergreen frontman has proved over the course of his remarkable career that anything is possible and he likes nothing more than making a mockery of biological and sporting logic.

  5. Loan flop frustration for Leeds after missing out on Wilson

    Leeds legend Tony Dorigo has assessed Facundo Buonanotte’s failed loan transfer during an exclusive interview with GOAL. The Whites had hoped to acquire Wales international Harry Wilson during the summer of 2025, but saw him remain at Fulham. They are still lacking a creative spark, with an Argentine playmaker that thrived at Leicester last season struggling to tick that box.

  6. ‘Fall apart’ - Chelsea warned off Fabregas appointment

    Chelsea have been warned off appointing Cesc Fabregas as their next manager, with the former Blues star considered to be in need of more experience as his current Como side have a tendency to “fall apart” in big games. Tony Dorigo has explained to GOAL why an alternative option would be better at Stamford Bridge for now, allowing a familiar World Cup winner to retrace steps to west London at some point further down the line.