Exclusive

Aston Villa are being backed to complete a memorable double in 2026, with Champions League qualification being secured through their Premier League standing and a first trophy win in 30 years. Former Villans defender Richard Dunne has told GOAL how landing major silverware and finishing strongly in top-flight competition can help to keep Unai Emery on board.

Could there be a Bruno trade at Manchester United this summer as club captain Fernandes heads for the exits and Brazilian star Guimaraes arrives from Newcastle? Questions continue to be asked of how long Fernandes will stick around at Old Trafford, but former Red Devils and Magpies striker Michael Owen has told GOAL why any thoughts of replacing the Portuguese playmaker should be shelved.

Sporting directors and global heads of football are not an entirely new concept, but they do generate plenty of questions when it comes to who should have the final say in any transfer business. Nottingham Forest are among those to have reignited that lively debate in 2025-26, as ex-Arsenal and Brazil star Edu is phased out at the City Ground, with ex-Reds striker Marlon Harewood discussing a very modern phenomenon with GOAL.

Federico Chiesa, who has endured a tough couple of years at Liverpool, is considered to be a “fragile guy” and has been told that a return to his native Italy could be the best option for all concerned. Struggles for fitness and regular game time continue to plague the Italian winger in England, with Massimino Ambrosini telling GOAL why a change of scenery in 2026 would make a lot of sense.

Barcelona duo Lamine Yamal and Sydney Schertenleib are the winners of NXGN 2026 after coming out on top in GOAL's annual lists of football's top teenagers (players born on or after January 1, 2007). It marks the second straight year that Barca have provided the No.1 player on both lists, following Yamal and Vicky Lopez's triumphs in 2025.

Manchester City have been informed as to who the “best replacement” for Pep Guardiola will be, while Vincent Kompany is being backed to return to the Etihad Stadium at some point. Former Blues captain Richard Dunne has told GOAL what the future could look like in a coaching capacity, with two highly-decorated managers set to see their respective contracts expire in 2027.

Trent Alexander-Arnold made his England debut in 2018 but has only taken his tally of caps to 34, with Gareth Southgate and Thomas Tuchel taking to snubbing Real Madrid’s former Liverpool defender on a regular basis. Michael Owen, who also spent time at Anfield and Santiago Bernabeu in his playing days, has told GOAL why the buccaneering full-back may have seen his 2026 World Cup dream dashed.

The Premier League have been warned that they would be “ruining their own competition” by hitting Manchester City with a 60-point penalty at this stage of the season, with a “stupid” Financial Fair Play (FFP) saga continuing to drag on. Potential sanctions in a 115-charge case are still being mooted, with Richard Dunne telling GOAL when a ruling will likely be delivered.

Thomas Tuchel has admitted that Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman has a “chance” of making England’s 2026 World Cup squad, but would an opportunity such as that be arriving too early for the 16-year-old forward? GOAL has put that question to Michael Owen, a man that knows all about making a senior breakthrough with the Three Lions as a teen sensation.

Nottingham Forest’s surge to third in the Premier League table as a newly-promoted club “will never happen again”, Mark Crossley has told GOAL, with that achievement deserving greater recognition. The Reds, alongside Newcastle, boast the record for highest finish secured immediately after stepping into the big time since a bold new era for English football was embraced in 1992.

Emi Martinez appeared destined to leave Aston Villa in the summer of 2025, only to end up staying put, but could the World Cup-winning goalkeeper finally get his move 12 months on? The enigmatic Argentina international has remained an important part of Unai Emery’s plans in the West Midlands, but Emile Heskey has told GOAL why a sale is likely to be agreed in the next transfer window.

Steven Gerrard has been informed that his dream of managing Liverpool has “died”, with an emotional return to Anfield being ruled out. There was a point, when winning the Scottish Premiership title at Rangers, that Gerrard was considered to be a Reds boss of the future. Emile Heskey has told GOAL why that may no longer be the case for his former teammate.

When West Ham left Upton Park things were never going to be the same, but ex-Hammers striker Marlon Harewood has told GOAL why the London Stadium can still be an “amazing place”. Many disgruntled fans, of the home and away variety, have failed to take the former Olympic venue into their hearts. It does, however, tick many important boxes for an ambitious East End outfit.

Manuel Ugarte has been advised to leave Manchester United in the next transfer window, with Gus Poyet still disappointed that his fellow Uruguayan snubbed a move to Chelsea. A switch to Old Trafford has not played out as planned for the South American midfielder, with Poyet telling GOAL why the 24-year-old finds himself entering a career-defining “big summer”.

Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White have been sent an England-themed relegation warning at Nottingham Forest, but there is no guarantee that both will leave the City Ground this summer. The Reds - who are also seeing Brazilian defender Murillo generate transfer talk - are battling for Premier League survival, with Marlon Harewood discussing various scenarios there with GOAL.

Mikey Moore has long been billed as one of the most exciting wonderkids in British football, with Andy Gray telling GOAL why Rangers may continue to benefit from the 18-year-old’s impressive development. The teenage playmaker is tied to Premier League giants Tottenham, but a productive loan spell at Ibrox has been enjoyed and an extension to that deal could be thrashed out for 2026-27.

Nottingham Forest’s clash with Tottenham on Sunday promises to be epic, but Mark Crossley has told GOAL why four home matches beyond that will be the “most important games in the club’s history”. The Reds are serving up their annual dose of drama, having become embroiled in another relegation battle, with Premier League survival up for grabs.

Harry Kane is “in the discussion” for Ballon d’Or honours, but may need to win the Champions League with Bayern Munich and star for England at the 2026 World Cup in order to land the Golden Ball. Emile Heskey admits as much, with the former Three Lions forward telling GOAL how his fellow striker can earn the prestigious billing of best player on the planet.

Alejandro Garnacho has been told what is missing from his game and how a £40 million ($54m) price tag at Chelsea can be justified. The Argentina international winger has struggled for consistency across the end of his time at Manchester United and during his debut campaign at Stamford Bridge. Former Blues star Gus Poyet has told GOAL how the 21-year-old can live up to expectations.

Emile Heskey has revealed to GOAL that his son Jaden is enjoying “getting battered” during a spell at Sheffield Wednesday, with England U18 star Reigan next in line for a loan transfer away from Manchester City. Ex-Liverpool striker Heskey is playing the role of proud father as his children seek to forge their own career in the professional game, with senior football required in order to complete that process.

James McAtee has endured a tough time at Nottingham Forest following his £30 million ($40m) transfer from Manchester City, with the 23-year-old playmaker prompting a “difficult conversation”. Former Reds striker Marlon Harewood has told GOAL why struggles for a spark at the City Ground are difficult to understand, with McAtee clearly a talented individual.

Matt Turner may have fallen down the USMNT’s goalkeeping depth chart, but Brad Friedel has explained to GOAL why the New England Revolution shot-stopper could still have a vital role to play at the 2026 World Cup. Matt Freese is considered to be leading the race for starting duties at this summer’s global gathering in North America, but Mauricio Pochettino will want an able back-up at his disposal.

James Milner appreciates that, at 40 years of age, he will soon be faced with a “really tough” decision regarding retirement. The former Manchester City and Liverpool midfielder is still going strong at Brighton, having become the Premier League’s all-time leading appearance maker, but has told GOAL of the big career calls that must be made in the not too distant future.

Alisha Lehmann is only a matter of weeks into her spell at Leicester City, but the WSL outfit have been warned that on-field struggles could lead to the “commercial titan” beating a hasty retreat. Switzerland international Lehmann returned to English football in January following stints in Italy with Juventus and Como Women. Emile Heskey has told GOAL what she offers to the Foxes.

Everton have been advised on how supposed interest from the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal in “one-off talent” Iliman Ndiaye can be fended off. Ex-Toffees striker Andy Gray is a big fan of the Senegal international and can see why he is “attracting a lot of attention”. The Scot has told GOAL what could happen in the summer transfer window of 2026.

Back in the 1970s and 80s, Brian Clough prided himself on upsetting the establishment. In more recent times, Jose Mourinho has taken on the role of managerial disrupter in chief. What would have happened had a couple of European Cup-winning coaches locked horns at the peak of their powers? Former Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Mark Crossley has explained to GOAL why there would “only be one winner”.

Jurgen Klopp returning to Liverpool would be a fairytale story for all concerned, but Emile Heskey has explained to GOAL why the enigmatic German tactician will not want to “risk his legacy” on Merseyside. Change in the Anfield dugout is being mooted as Arne Slot struggles to deliver consistency, with it being suggested that a familiar face could be lured back to a spiritual home.

Arne Slot has been warned that Premier League title-winning credit at Liverpool is likely to have expired, with Champions League qualification required in order to avoid the sack. The Dutch tactician oversaw domestic dominance in his debut season at Anfield, but has tumbled off the loftiest of perches this term. Ex-Reds striker Emile Heskey has explained to GOAL what needs to happen in order for the axe to be avoided.

Emile Heskey has told GOAL why Liverpool will listen to offers for Mohamed Salah this summer, with the Egyptian superstar finding himself back on the bench. The mercurial winger, with 254 goals for the Reds to his name, is under contract until the summer of 2027. He may, however, be moved on in the next transfer window while a fee can still be generated.