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.
Danny Mills has told GOAL that “some kind of personality clash” has taken place between Jude Bellingham and Thomas Tuchel, but the former is expected to learn from that as the latter makes it clear who is “the boss”. Real Madrid’s midfield ‘Galactico’ has been handed England’s No.10 shirt at the 2026 World Cup and started in that role for a tournament opener against Croatia.
Marcus Rashford needs to avoid giving too much thought to a summer transfer and catching the eye in a World Cup shop window, John Barnes has told GOAL, with the Manchester United-owned forward being made aware of what England need from him. Barcelona appear to have passed on a permanent deal, while the 28-year-old is reluctant to be absorbed back into the fold at Old Trafford.
The three biggest strengths of Dominic Calvert-Lewin have been highlighted by Peter Reid, with the former Leeds boss and Everton midfielder telling GOAL why the powerful frontman is a joy to watch. Injury issues of the recent past were put to the back of the 29-year-old’s mind last season as he delivered an immediate return on the faith shown in him by those at Elland Road.
Michael Owen made his Liverpool breakthrough as a teenager, and the former Reds star has told GOAL why Rio Ngumoha should remain at Anfield for now - rather than tread a similar path to Jude Bellingham and Jadon Sancho. The highly-rated winger is, at 17 years of age, seeing a surprising switch to German giants Bayern Munich speculated on.
Harry Kane will not be paying any attention to the 2026 World Cup exploits of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, Danny Mills has told GOAL, as England’s record goalscorer would “rather be Olivier Giroud”. The prolific Bayern Munich striker has already opened his account in North America, alongside several other household names, but will forever prioritise collective success over any individual accolades.
Dejan Kulusevski has spent more than 12 months stuck on the sidelines at Tottenham, with Danny Murphy telling GOAL that the Swedish forward could end up heading down paths previously trodden by Fernando Torres and Ruud van Nistelrooy. Everyone connected with Spurs hope that the latter of those two Premier League legends will be emulated, with the 2026-27 campaign delivering a clean slate for all concerned.
Ricardo Pepi is on World Cup duty with the USMNT, putting him in the global shop window, but Kasey Keller has told GOAL why the PSV striker faces a “tricky” decision when it comes to his future and mounting Premier League transfer speculation. The 23-year-old frontman attracted interest from Fulham during the winter, with more approaches from England expected to be made with the summer market of 2026 now open for business.
England are considered to miss Harry Maguire, amid defensive concerns at the 2026 World Cup, but Danny Mills has explained to GOAL why the Manchester United centre-half has been snubbed for a second time. He was left out of Thomas Tuchel’s initial 26-man squad and - despite leadership questions being asked - was overlooked again when Tino Livramentio withdrew through injury and a replacement needed to be found.
Folarin Balogun and Christian Pulisic dominated headlines as the USMNT enjoyed a dream start to their 2026 World Cup campaign, but who are the unsung heroes in Mauricio Pochettino’s team? In conversation with GOAL, former keeper Kasey Keller has picked out three players that have a crucial role to play for the co-hosts at FIFA’s flagship event.
The Premier League fixture list for 2026-27 has been released. Arsenal will be looking to defend their title, while the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United have sights locked on the ultimate prize. Coventry are back in the big time after a 25-year absence, while several managerial changes mean that new eras are being ushered in across the division. Here, GOAL picks out the most notable matches from what promises to be another thrilling top-flight campaign.
Newly-appointed permanent managers will be in place at Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City when the 2026-27 campaign gets underway, while Mikel Arteta remains in charge of defending champions Arsenal. With full fixture lists having been released, GOAL takes a look at the respective schedules of teams from London and the North West that will be hoping to savour title glory when another action-packed season comes to a close.
Christian Pulisic has been given “shop window” transfer advice, with ex-USMNT star Kasey Keller reacting to the talented forward’s ongoing contract saga at AC Milan during an interview with GOAL. For now, a man that has often taken on the ‘Captain America’ moniker at international level is enjoying the “relief factor” of representing his country at a home World Cup - with a dream start being made to that tournament.
Harry Redknapp has revealed to GOAL when a “never be good enough” assessment of Harry Kane was delivered, with the record-breaking England captain going on to make a mockery of that verdict. During his early years at Tottenham, doubts were raised as to whether the ambitious striker would ever make the grade. He is now the all-time leading scorer for Spurs and the Three Lions, while also becoming a Ballon d’Or contender.
Outbursts of emotion from Jude Bellingham are no bad thing, ex-England star David James has told GOAL, with it considered to be “more of a problem” if the Real Madrid midfielder reined in his on-field behaviour. Team-mates, with club and country, are considered to have accepted that the passionate 22-year-old will always be a fiery character.
Thomas Tuchel has taken on one of the most arduous tasks in world football - the England manager’s job - and Harry Redknapp has told GOAL that a “disastrous” World Cup could lead to the German tactician quitting despite a “strange” contract extension being signed. Everybody connected with the Three Lions is hoping that scenario can be avoided as another quest for elusive major honours is opened.
Gio Reyna has been told that the “sky’s the limit” when it comes to his potential, but the USMNT star faces familiar words of advice while trying to fully unlock that ability. Ex-United States international Kasey Keller - who is a close friend of the Reyna family - has told GOAL of the need to find greater consistency after netting a wondergoal against Paraguay at the 2026 World Cup.
England have no obvious heir to Harry Kane’s throne emerging through their domestic system, with ex-Premier League and Three Lions striker Stan Collymore explaining to GOAL the concerning reason for that. The most prolific of No.9s continues to lead the line at present, rewriting the history books as he goes, but what happens when he is no longer around?
Manchester City remain in the hunt for Elliot Anderson, with Nottingham Forest reportedly demanding a British record transfer package of £125 million-plus ($168m) for the England international midfielder. Reds legend Stan Collymore has told GOAL how the classy 23-year-old would represent “value for money” and become an “absolute bargain”, with those concepts becoming increasingly difficult to judge in modern sport.
Jordan Pickford has been England’s No.1 for the best part of a decade, but where does the Everton star rank on the Premier League goalkeeper chart? Former Liverpool, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Three Lions shot-stopper David James has answered that question during an exclusive interview with GOAL - as a proven performer is placed in illustrious company.
Harry Kane remains England’s go-to option for attacking inspiration, as the talismanic captain of his country, but Stan Collymore has explained to GOAL why “finishers” such as Ollie Watkins and Anthony Gordon have an important part to play at the 2026 World Cup. The Three Lions are ready to start roaring on North American soil, with squad depth crucial to Thomas Tuchel.
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