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.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have never been team-mates, but Mikael Silvestre has told GOAL that it would “make sense” for two GOATs to be kept apart in MLS if CR7 were to join his eternal rival in the United States. There has been talk of a remarkable union being pieced together at Inter Miami, but not everybody is convinced that a couple of iconic figures should grace the same team.
Arsenal have been advised to join the transfer scramble for Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola, with Mikael Silvestre telling GOAL that a move to Emirates Stadium would be an “obvious choice” for all concerned. The reigning Premier League champions are in the market for creative reinforcements, particularly on the left side of their attacking unit.
Arsenal are expected to see movement on the striker front this summer, with Jeremie Aliadiere admitting to GOAL that it is “not a secret” that Gabriel Jesus is likely to depart. If the Brazil international is offloaded, then funds and squad space will be freed up for reinforcements. The Gunners continue to be heavily linked with Argentine forward Julian Alvarez.
Erling Haaland is unlikely to see out the remaining eight years of his contract at Manchester City, Joleon Lescott has admitted to GOAL, but Real Madrid and any other suitors of the Norwegian striker have been warned that any future transfer fee “isn’t going to be small”. The Citizens have their superstar No.9 tied to terms at the Etihad Stadium through to 2034.
Arsenal have ended their long wait for Premier League title glory, with ‘Invincibles’ squad member Jeremie Aliadiere telling GOAL that Champions League success will now become more of a priority for the Gunners. Mikel Arteta’s side reached the final of that competition last season, but north London is still waiting on a historic first European Cup triumph.
Manchester may be about to turn red again, following the departure of Pep Guardiola from the Etihad Stadium, with ex-United star Gary Pallister telling GOAL why a “huge shift” could be on the cards. Sleeping giants at Old Trafford have been shaken from their slumber by Michael Carrick, with Premier League title dreams beginning to form again ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
Kylian Mbappe will have been left “devastated” and “fuming” at his trophy failings with Real Madrid and France, Jeremie Aliadiere has told GOAL, with the ‘Galactico’ forward desperate to emulate Cristiano Ronaldo in the Champions League-winning department. That prestigious European prize has remained elusive to a man who is now the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup history.
The 2026 World Cup is over, and so is the race for the prestigious Golden Boot - the award given to the tournament's top scorer. With the expanded 48-nation tournament coming to a close, following a month of thrilling action in North America, which star has taken home the illustrious award? Here, GOAL lists the tournament's most prolific performers.
Questions continue to be asked of what the future holds for Jack Grealish, but Joleon Lescott has told GOAL that “no conversations” have taken place regarding a move to MLS. For now, the Manchester City-owned forward is looking to enjoy a fresh start at the Etihad Stadium or build on a productive loan spell with Everton - as a permanent transfer could still be agreed there.
Kylian Mbappe is considered to be out of the running for Ballon d’Or recognition in 2026, with Jeremie Aliadiere conceding to GOAL that World Cup heartache with France is likely to have dashed those dreams. Les Bleus’ all-time leading goalscorer has never got his hands on the Golden Ball, and will need to wait another 12 months before staking another claim to the most prestigious of individual honours.
The threat of Financial Fair Play (FFP) sanctions continues to hang over Manchester City, but could they end up working in favour of new boss Enzo Maresca? Joleon Lescott has addressed that issue during an exclusive interview with GOAL, as points penalties at the Etihad Stadium would relieve some Premier League title-chasing pressure on Pep Guardiola’s successor.
Bruno Guimaraes continues to see a transfer to Arsenal speculated on, with Jeremie Aliadiere telling GOAL how the Newcastle midfielder could be fitted into Mikel Arteta’s side while influencing some big decisions on Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice. The ambitious Gunners continue to bolster a squad that savoured Premier League title glory last season.
Spain’s World Cup final clash with Argentina will see Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi go head-to-head for a global title and Ballon d’Or honours. Gaizka Mendieta has told GOAL why Barcelona’s teenage wonderkid can get the better of an all-time great. An epic battle is about to play out in New Jersey, with eyes from every corner of the planet descending on MetLife Stadium.
England “can’t complain” about being on the receiving end of another masterclass from Lionel Messi as “no-one’s ever been able to stop” the Argentina GOAT, ex-Three Lions international Joleon Lescott has told GOAL. Another bid for international trophy glory has come to a close, in agonising fashion, with semi-final heartache being endured at the 2026 World Cup.
Kylian Mbappe remains the right man to captain France heading forward, Jeremie Aliadiere has told GOAL, despite admissions that skippers do not “have to be the best player”. That is the case at present with Les Bleus, as their record goalscorer fills the armband, and any questions of character will continue to be ignored as the fearsome frontman leads by example.
The pros and cons of Arsenal potentially making a move for Marcus Rashford have been highlighted to GOAL by ‘Invincibles’ squad member Jeremie Aliadiere. The Gunners have allowed Leandro Trossard to leave Emirates Stadium, as questions are asked of Gabriel Martinelli’s future, with obvious reconstruction work to be carried out in the summer transfer window.
Pep Guardiola will not yet have grown bored of life outside of management, following his departure from Manchester City, with Joleon Lescott telling GOAL why any kneejerk decisions on Thomas Tuchel’s future as England boss need to be avoided. The German tactician is facing some uncomfortable questions following the Three Lions’ World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina.
Dele Alli remains lost in the footballing wilderness, with former Serie A star Des Walker telling GOAL why his fellow ex-England international found the going tough when entering “a last chance saloon” at Como. The one-time Tottenham superstar made just one substitute appearance for Cesc Fabregas’ side before being released back into the free agent pool.
Manchester United have been advised to “get one” of Bradley Barcola or Desire Doue in the summer transfer window, with Dwight Yorke telling GOAL why big-money raids on Paris Saint-Germain would make a lot of sense. The Red Devils are in the market for creative and attacking additions, with a couple of Champions League winners registering on Premier League radars.
Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke were expected to make significant contributions to England’s cause at the 2026 World Cup, but Michael Owen has admitted to GOAL that said collection of wingers have “not really worked” out as planned. Thomas Tuchel is yet to settle on a preferred pairing of wide attackers, with no member of a star-studded quartet truly convincing when being given opportunities in which to impress.
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