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.
Monaco may be the “only place in Europe where the players know the fans and the fans don't know the players”, Gilles Grimandi has admitted to GOAL, but Eric Dier has been saluted for continuing his late-career renaissance with the Ligue 1 giants. The former Tottenham star attracted criticism during his time in England, but has thrived since leaving north London.
Thibaut Courtois is still the “best” goalkeeper in world football, ex-Belgium international Philippe Albert has told GOAL, with the Real Madrid custodian considered to have fended off competition from the likes of David Raya, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Alisson. A standing at the very top of the global game has been enjoyed by Courtois for well over a decade.
Manuel Ugarte has endured a nightmare spell at Manchester United, with form and fitness proving difficult to come by, but Gus Poyet has told GOAL that his fellow Uruguayan may yet earn redemption and a second chance at Old Trafford. The South American midfielder is currently working his way back from surgery after suffering knee ligament damage at the 2026 World Cup.
Philippe Albert has told GOAL that Manchester City star Jeremy Doku is capable of hitting the heights scaled by fellow left wingers Vinicius Junior and Luis Diaz. The Belgium international forward has been made aware of where he needs to improve in order to join the global elite, with the tricky 24-year-old being accused of trying too much at times.
Inter Miami are the “perfect fit” for Neymar, former Brazil international Anderson has told GOAL, with the South American superstar being tipped to reunite with ex-Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi in MLS. Neymar has endured a tough time of late, but a fellow countryman has leapt to his defence in passionate fashion and hopes more critics can be silenced.
Lamine Camara is the “best player in France”, Gilles Grimandi has told GOAL, with the Monaco midfielder being tipped to star in the Premier League at some point in the not too distant future. A big-money transfer was expected to have been completed by now, with the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea keeping a close eye on the 22-year-old Senegal international.
Youri Tielemans joining Manchester United “surprised” Philippe Albert, but the former Belgium international has admitted to GOAL that it is “difficult to say no” when the Red Devils come calling. Another Premier League-proven addition to the Old Trafford engine room was made in the summer of 2026, with a boyhood dream being fulfilled in the process.
Ansu Fati was the man to inherit Barcelona’s No.10 shirt when Lionel Messi departed in 2021. Gilles Grimandi - who has been keeping a close eye on the Spanish forward at Monaco - has told GOAL that taking a GOAT jersey at Camp Nou did not “kill” the one-time wonderkid’s career, but it is impossible to ignore the fact that “great” potential has not been fulfilled.
The prolific No.9 is considered to be something of a dying breed in modern football, with creative playmakers now all the rage. There was a time though, not all that long ago, when fearsome strikers ruled the world. Luis Suarez formed part of that pack, but where does he rank in a generation that included Robert Lewandowski, Harry Kane and Karim Benzema? Fellow Uruguayan Gus Poyet has attempted to answer that question for GOAL.
Could Thierry Henry return to management at some stage, or take on a coaching role at Arsenal? Gilles Grimandi has explained to GOAL why his fellow Frenchman and former Gunners team-mate will not be rushing back into the dugout. He does, however, admit that it would be “lovely” to see the World Cup winner working with strikers at Emirates Stadium.
Belgium have been warned that they will be in “big trouble” when the day comes for Romelu Lukaku to retire, with Philippe Albert telling GOAL that the record-setting frontman is “one of the best strikers ever”. That big billing is supported by an impressive goal tally and enviable collection of major trophies, with the current Fenerbahce star boasting a weighty counter argument to any critics.
Moises Caicedo has, due to the position that he fills, drawn obvious comparisons with Chelsea legend Claude Makelele. Is the Ecuadorian deserving of such a big billing? Former Blues star Gus Poyet has explained to GOAL why another talismanic holding midfielder has a vital role to play at Stamford Bridge and how he can follow in the footsteps of some title-winning icons.
In the latest instalment of GOAL’s ‘Brits Abroad’ series, a man that started out in the iconic cages of England’s capital before passing through Austria talks bus journey confusion, personal growth and what to do in Belgium
Cole Palmer has rediscovered his spark at Chelsea, with Blues legend Gus Poyet explaining to GOAL why the “happy” Stamford Bridge star can go on to scale the same heights as Gianfranco Zola and Eden Hazard. Palmer appeared destined to tread that path after moving to west London, but endured a testing 2025-26 campaign that saw exit talk generated.
Darwin Nunez is now 27 years of age and should be at the peak of his powers. The ex-Liverpool forward decided against returning to European football, and potentially the Premier League, during the last transfer window and remains in Saudi Arabia. Gus Poyet has explained to GOAL why his fellow Uruguayan took that stance, with a “crazy” contract being factored into the equation.
Kylian Mbappe has been chasing the Ballon d’Or dream since he was a teenager, with Gilles Grimandi telling GOAL why he was left “embarrassed” when first being made aware of that ambitious Golden Ball target. The ex-Arsenal star formed part of transfer talks at the time, with Mbappe’s family making it clear to the Gunners that the flying frontman intended to become the best player on the planet.
Gus Poyet knows what Tottenham supporters are like, having represented the club, and has told GOAL that “80 per cent” of Spurs fans will have feared that their team were set to “draw” with Coventry when heading into the final 10 minutes of that contest. In the end, Roberto De Zerbi’s side picked up a 3-1 win - with the north London outfit savouring their first Premier League success of 2026-27.
If Manchester City are hit with Financial Fair Play (FFP) sanctions that result in them being relegated out of the Premier League, could Arsenal be tempted to raid the Etihad Stadium for another winger? Gilles Grimandi has told GOAL he is “not convinced” that the Gunners would move for fleet-footed Belgian star Jeremy Doku or hard-running Ghana international Antoine Semenyo.
Antoine Griezmann is being backed to spend “two or three more years” in MLS. The legendary French forward is currently with Orlando City, meaning that he shares the Florida sunshine with fellow World Cup winner and Inter Miami talisman Lionel Messi. Gilles Grimandi has told GOAL why the 35-year-old can compete in the United States across several more seasons.
Dejan Kulusevski has returned to action after a 526-day injury-enforced absence, but will the Tottenham winger ever be the same again? Former Spurs star Gus Poyet has explained to GOAL why a cautious approach should serve the Swedish playmaker well, with there no need for any risks to be taken with a player that has finally awoken from his fitness nightmare.
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