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Paul Parker has told GOAL that “UEFA want Manchester United in the Champions League final”, but will the Red Devils hit that target across the next 10 seasons after enduring a 15-year barren run? One of the biggest clubs in world football have not graced the grandest showpiece in European competition since 2011, with a humbling fall from grace being suffered.

Southampton have seen the likes of Sadio Mane and Virgil van Dijk pass through St Mary’s, but could Shea Charles - who has already been compared to Jude Bellingham while heading down a similar career path to Morgan Rogers - become their latest superstar? Saints legend Shane Long has attempted to answer that question during an exclusive interview with GOAL.

Chelsea stand accused of “building a very ugly house” on the back of their surprising decision to sack Enzo Maresca, with Paul Parker admitting to GOAL that said call may represent the Blues’ biggest mistake. Two major honours were delivered to Stamford Bridge in 2025, but they are now in danger of going trophyless in 2026 and missing out on Champions League qualification.

Kyogo Furuhashi looked to be a shrewd signing for Birmingham when moving to St Andrew’s in 2025, but the former Celtic star has become a £10 million ($14m) flop for the Blues. Don Goodman has explained to GOAL why the Japan international’s struggles have come as a surprise, with a big-money return to British football going “horribly wrong” for the three-goal forward.

Chelsea have been told that they should be worried about the transfer talk that continues to rage around Cole Palmer, with the Manchester United-linked playmaker considered to have “lost” his spark and adopted the “face of a card shark”. Ex-Blues defender Paul Parker has told GOAL why exit rumours at Stamford Bridge come as no surprise due to the way Todd Boehly and Co are running the club.

Vinicius Junior continues to generate plenty of lively discussion at Real Madrid, but Michael Owen has told GOAL why the Brazilian superstar is “so big and so good” that only “two teams” could afford to put a transfer deal in place. The South American forward has become a divisive character in world football, but Owen doubts that he will trade Santiago Bernabeu for another landing spot in Europe or the Saudi Pro League.

Michael Carrick is in line to land Manchester United’s managerial job on a permanent basis, with Paul Parker informing GOAL of the key decision that has allowed the Red Devils’ interim boss to put himself in that position. Reins were handed to Carrick in mid-January, with the expectation being that Champions League qualification will earn him a full-time contract.

Newcastle have been warned off taking a huge gamble on Jose Mourinho, with Michael Owen explaining to GOAL why Eddie Howe sack talk at St James’ Park has left him baffled. The Magpies are, in the midst of a disappointing 2025-26 campaign, reported to be considering a change in their dugout. Former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham boss Mourinho has seen a Premier League return speculated on.

Liverpool have lost Hugo Ekitike to injury, Mohamed Salah is preparing to depart and Alexander Isak has endured fitness issues, but Michael Owen has explained to GOAL why Robert Lewandowski should not be a short-term fix at Anfield. The prolific Polish striker is preparing to sever ties with Barcelona as a free agent, and has never graced the Premier League, but the Reds are considered to have more pressing issues to address.

Alex Iwobi has explained what it is like to face all-time greats Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, with the former having an “aura” while the latter boasts a “force field”. Speaking on the Beast Mode On Podcast, former Arsenal midfielder Iwobi - who is now on the books of Fulham - has lifted the lid on how he became the unfortunate star of a Messi-themed compilation reel.

Alex Iwobi has explained what makes Nigeria international team-mate Victor Osimhen special, with the Galatasaray striker so determined to be a world-class operator that he is “cheating just to win” in training. Speaking on the Beast Mode On Podcast, Fulham playmaker Iwobi has also revealed what it is like having legendary ex-Paris Saint-Germain, Bolton and Super Eagles star Jay-Jay Okocha as an uncle.

Abebayo Akinfenwa is joined by Alex Iwobi on the Beast Mode On Podcast as the Fulham winger discusses his journey from the Arsenal academy to becoming a regular in the Premier League and making his mark on the international stage with Nigeria. The 29-year-old also talks about his duels with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as well as a host of other compelling topics.

Former Nottingham Forest captain Henri Lansbury has explained to GOAL why the Reds boast a home game atmosphere that Premier League rivals such as West Ham could never match. The City Ground has been rocking since promotion back into the big time was secured - across domestic and European competition - with a key factor in the creation of a hostile environment being explained.

France legend Marcel Desailly has told GOAL that Kylian Mbappe will have “had nightmares” about Paris Saint-Germain winning the Champions League without him and Ousmane Dembele landing the Ballon d’Or. Mbappe headed to Real Madrid in a bid to collect those honours, but has been warned that a trophy drought in Spain could last up to four years.

Tottenham continue to teeter on the brink of relegation disaster in the Premier League, with Brad Friedel telling GOAL what the “minimum” time frame for a return to Champions League contention would be if the worst were to happen in 2026. Championship football could be on the agenda before elite European competition returns to north London, with a remarkable fall from grace being endured.

England manager Thomas Tuchel is being urged to add Morgan Gibbs-White to his World Cup plans as the Nottingham Forest No.10 offers “something different” to the likes of Cole Palmer and Phil Foden. Competition for places is fierce in the Three Lions’ playmaking department, but former Reds captain Henri Lansbury has told GOAL why MGW deserves to get the nod.

Tom Brady and Birmingham have been warned that they “missed a trick” in failing to force their way into promotion contention this season, although more money is expected to be spent in chasing the Premier League dream. The Blues landed the League One title last season, beating Wrexham to top spot, but Don Goodman has explained to GOAL why 2025-26 has been something of a disappointment.

Elliot Anderson has become a man in demand, with former Nottingham Forest captain Henri Lansbury telling GOAL why a midfielder that already boasts “a bit of magic” can go on to become a “shining light”. Anderson is a key cog in the City Ground machine, and seemingly destined to form part of England’s squad at the 2026 World Cup, but there is the promise of even more to come from the talented 23-year-old.

Ryan Yates is often Nottingham Forest’s tormentor in chief, while donning the captain’s armband, and former Reds skipper Henri Lansbury has told GOAL why dark arts in football are to be saluted. Every club boasts a player that divides opinion among fan bases, with characters that are loved by home supporters positively revelling in their ability to rile opponents.

The Barcelona winger spoke with GOAL on his rise to become one of the best in the world over the last two years, but World Cup success could make or break his legacy.

Wrexham’s sights remain firmly locked on the Premier League, but Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac have been informed that the Red Dragons are “outsiders” and “underdogs” to hit that target in 2026. Following a record-breaking run of three successive promotions, Don Goodman has explained to GOAL why the Welsh outfit should be happy with their efforts if a fourth falls agonisingly out of reach.

Nottingham Forest legend Stan Collymore has told GOAL how Callum Hudson-Odoi can go about rediscovering his lost spark. The former Chelsea winger has earned trust from four different managers at the City Ground this season, but goals and assists have been in short supply. A “mental” block is considered to be impacting efforts to find top form, with the talented 25-year-old being urged to go back to “basics”.

Declan Rice, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are all considered to be Ballon d’Or-worthy talents, but who will be the next Englishman to win the prestigious Golden Ball? Former Three Lions midfielder Gareth Barry has delivered his verdict to GOAL, with Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid superstars eager to be recognised as the best player on the planet.

Max Dowman has made Premier League history at Arsenal, with the 16-year-old wonderkid rewriting the record books, but Gareth Barry has told GOAL why the exciting youngster is likely to miss out on a place in England’s 2026 World Cup squad. There has been talk of the teenager becoming a wild card for the Three Lions, but questions are being asked of whether he needs to be fast tracked through that system.

Rayan Cherki has been made aware of what he must achieve at Manchester City before mid-game keepy-uppies can become a habit, with Gareth Barry telling GOAL what Pep Guardiola’s message to the enigmatic Frenchman will be. Cherki has won a host of Premier League admirers as City’s on-field entertainer, but his demanding manager is all about end product.

Chris Wood has made a timely return to action at Nottingham Forest, with Stan Collymore telling GOAL of the crucial qualities that a proven goalscorer will add to the Reds’ Premier League survival bid. New Zealand international Wood has recovered from long-term injury at a point of the season where every point is priceless and the 2026 World Cup begins to loom large.

Harry Kane is being tipped to emulate Cristiano Ronaldo by playing into his 40s, with ex-England star Gareth Barry telling GOAL why the prolific Bayern Munich striker should be giving no thought to retirement. Kane is only 32, with many years ahead of him, and is expected to offer domestic and international bosses a huge boost by following in the footsteps of fellow all-time greats.

Pep Guardiola has conquered Spanish, German and English football, with former Manchester City star Gareth Barry explaining to GOAL why a new challenge in France or Italy would “intrigue” the highly-decorated Catalan coach. The ex-Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss has a little over 12 months remaining on his contract at the Etihad Stadium.