Rio Ngumoha has been told what the “next step” is for him, with Liverpool legend John Barnes looking for more experience and end product from a teenage wonderkid that does not need to worry about “beating five players”. At 17 years of age, the England hopeful is looking to build on a breakthrough campaign at Anfield that delivered 29 appearances and two goals.
Frank Lampard should avoid a “very harsh” call at Coventry, Colin Hendry has told GOAL, with the Chelsea legend ready for another shot at Premier League management. A new contract has been signed, on the back of Championship title glory, with a return to the big time being enjoyed in the West Midlands following a 25-year absence.
It is “so important” for Bukayo Saka to get back among the goals for Arsenal on a regular basis in 2026-27, Gunners legend Alan Smith has told GOAL. The England international winger savoured Premier League title glory last season, filling the captain’s armband at times, but only found the target on 11 occasions across all competitions - his lowest return in five years.
Manchester United have been offered “best” transfer advice by Patrice Evra, with the former Red Devils star telling GOAL that Victor Osimhen should be brought to Old Trafford. The prolific Nigeria international remains on the books of Turkish giants Galatasaray, but has seen a Premier League move mooted for some time and 2026 could be the year in which a deal is done.
Scott McTominay has starred for Napoli since leaving Manchester United for Serie A in 2024 and former Scotland international Colin Hendry has, during an exclusive interview with GOAL, tipped “somebody in England” to try and take the all-action midfielder back to the Premier League. Such a deal may not happen any time soon as a new contract in Italy is being mooted.
Jude Bellingham is “not Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo” and cannot “win games by himself”, John Barnes has told GOAL, with the England and Real Madrid superstar considered to be more of a Bryan Robson-esque No.8 than a creative No.10. The all-action midfielder has often been pushed into a more advanced role, but his ability is maximised when operating in a deeper-lying berth.
Jack Grealish may have faced questions of his £100 million ($135m) move to Manchester City, while generating transfer talk in 2026, but Colin Hendry has told GOAL how the “clever” playmaker has maximised his career. Whatever happens from this point, the 30-year-old forward boasts the kind of trophy-winning CV that most players can only dream about.
Phil Foden has signed a new contract at Manchester City, which hints at a prominent role being enjoyed under Enzo Maresca, but Colin Hendry has admitted to GOAL that the Blues may be “protecting the asset”. A home-grown star at the Etihad Stadium has endured a couple of difficult years, but fresh terms will be helping to keep his asking price high.
Newcastle need to accept a frustrating transfer cycle at St James’ Park, John Barnes has told GOAL, as top players will always “come and go” - with even the likes of Liverpool struggling to retain the services of prized assets. Few clubs in world football can resist admiring glances from afar, with the Magpies finding that out to their cost in 2026.
Rangers are a “bigger club than Tottenham”, Colin Hendry has told GOAL, but the Old Firm giants face transfer frustration when it comes to bringing Mikey Moore back to Ibrox for a second spell. The teenage wonderkid impressed many in Glasgow last season, but Spurs are seemingly set to send him elsewhere before the summer deadline of 2026 passes.
Jason Wilcox holds plenty of power at Old Trafford, but what is Manchester United’s director of football really like? Premier League title-winning team-mate Colin Hendry has answered that question during an exclusive interview with GOAL. The former England international has trodden a post-playing career path that few could have predicted - having once been a “comedian” in the dressing room.
Liverpool legend John Barnes has told GOAL that Florian Wirtz is his “favourite player” at Anfield, with the German playmaker being backed to “do what Bruno Fernandes does” while donning a different red shirt. Wirtz endured a testing debut campaign in English football, but the talented 23-year-old can still justify the £116 million ($156m) worth of faith that has been shown in him.
Manchester United are said to be keen on Lewis Hall, but can the Newcastle left-back become “the new Patrice Evra” at Old Trafford? The man himself has attempted to answer that question, with the legendary Red Devils defender assessing potential transfer business with GOAL. More movement is expected before the summer window of 2026 swings shut.
Colin Hendry has attempted to explain how he would deal with Erling Haaland, during an exclusive interview with GOAL, but the former Manchester City defender admits that the prolific frontman poses questions that are almost impossible to answer. The Norway international forms part of the global elite, with few opponents able to contain his obvious threat.
Newcastle were never going to be in a position to land a Fabian Hurzeler or Andoni Iraola once Eddie Howe took the decision to walk away, former Magpies star John Barnes has told GOAL. In a summer of change at St James’ Park, on and off the field, managerial reins in the North East have been passed to Premier League rookie Matthias Jaissle.
Enzo Fernandez would tick a box for Manchester City that the Blues have been missing, Colin Hendry has told GOAL, with the World Cup winner tipped to be a “big plus” for Enzo Maresca if he can be lured away from Chelsea. The Argentina international will come with a huge price tag, said to stand at £120 million ($162m), but could prove to be money well spent.
Mohamed Salah deserves “respect” for not choosing the “easy option”, John Barnes has told GOAL, with the Liverpool legend insisting that the Egyptian King’s successor at Anfield will not be under “pressure” to emulate a modern day great. Nobody has stepped into those shoes as yet, with a Reds icon preparing to open a new chapter in his career at Trabzonspor.
Ben White has been told that he should be “knocking on the door” at Emirates Stadium and requesting a transfer away from Arsenal, with Lee Dixon explaining to GOAL why a “difficult” decision needs to be made. Premier League title success has been savoured in north London, but the versatile 28-year-old finds himself stuck down the pecking order under Mikel Arteta.
Robbie Keane is a managerial free agent, having cut his coaching teeth outside of British football, and Graham Stack has - during an exclusive interview with GOAL - stated his surprise that no club has “picked the phone up and begged” the former Tottenham and Liverpool striker to take their reins. For now, the ex-Republic of Ireland international is waiting on enticing offers to be tabled.
The qualities that make Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya special have been explained to GOAL by ‘Invincibles’ squad member Graham Stack. The World Cup and Premier League title-winning shot-stopper is considered to share some characteristics with England No.1 Jordan Pickford, but goes about his business in an altogether different kind of manner.
Harry Kane has been told that emulating Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi by gracing the World Cup finals in the twilight of his playing career will be a “big ask”. Ex-Bayern Munich star Dietmar Hamann - who has been speaking to GOAL - is not convinced that the two-time Bundesliga title winner will, at 36 years of age, form part of England’s major tournament plans in the summer of 2030.
Manchester United have been offered advice on how best to manage teenage wonderkid JJ Gabriel, with Lee Sharpe telling GOAL why a youngster that has been dubbed ‘Kid Messi’ may have to wait another year before making his competitive debut. At 15 years of age, the highly-rated forward has figured for the Red Devils in pre-season and is knocking on the first-team door.
Real Madrid still love a ‘Galactico’, but ex-Blancos star Michael Owen has told GOAL that there is little chance of Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland forming part of a fearsome frontline at Santiago Bernabeu. Instead, it is likely to remain a case of “one or the other” when it comes to superstar forwards that now operate in the same central striking position.
Jurgen Klopp has been warned that he will get no special treatment as head coach of Germany, with Dietmar Hamann telling GOAL that the former Liverpool manager’s “honeymoon period” will last “one game”. The enigmatic 59-year-old has returned to the dugout for the first time since bidding an emotional farewell to Anfield in the summer of 2024.
Swansea legend Lee Trundle has told GOAL why Luka Modric and Snoop Dogg could have cause for celebration at the end of the 2026-27 campaign, with collective sights in South Wales being locked on the Premier League. With A-list investors watching on from afar, the Swans are considered to be heading down a similar path to geographical rivals Wrexham.
Jack Grealish endured a “soul-destroying” injury last season, but the Manchester City-owned winger’s fellow West Midlands native Lee Sharpe has told GOAL why a “game-changing” talent can get his career back on track and potentially earn an England recall. For now, the 30-year-old forward faces a big decision on what his immediate future holds at club level.
Liverpool have been told that they missed a transfer trick in not identifying West Ham star Jarrod Bowen as the ideal successor to Mohamed Salah, with Michael Owen assessing links to Bradley Barcola during an exclusive interview with GOAL. The Paris Saint-Germain forward is said to have become available, but the France international will come with a “massive price” around his neck.
Lee Trundle was king of the showboat in his heyday, but who would he welcome aboard that vessel from the Premier League class of 2026? The former Swansea and Wrexham ace has answered that question for GOAL. Rayan Cherki, who is something of a “throwback”, earns said honour while starring at Manchester City, while Arsenal playmaker Eberechi Eze is another creative magician.
Arsenal are Premier League champions again, for the first time in 22 years, but which members of their 2026-27 title-winning class would make the fabled ‘Invincibles’ squad of 2003-04? Ex-Gunners goalkeeper Graham Stack, who formed part of Arsene Wenger’s ranks back then, has attempted to answer that question during an exclusive interview with GOAL.
Manchester United are hoping to see Bruno Fernandes sign a new contract, but who will inherit the captain’s armband at Old Trafford when the Portuguese playmaker moves on? Lee Sharpe has, during an exclusive interview with GOAL, thrown a few names into the mix - with Mason Mount considered to be a potential on-field leader for the ambitious Red Devils.
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