Chris Burton

Coventry are back in the Premier League for the first time in 25 years, with GOAL being told why the likes of Aston Villa, Everton and Brighton will struggle to compete with Sky Blues boss Frank Lampard on the transfer front. Established top-flight outfits may have more money to spend, but Joe Cole believes a “marquee name” at the CBS Arena will help to attract the kind of talent that may prove out of reach to others.

Manchester United are being linked with Bruno Guimaraes, Elliot Anderson and Aurelien Tchouameni, with Louis Saha telling GOAL who the “better fit” from that trio would be. More big money is set to be spent by the Red Devils in the next transfer window as a natural successor to Casemiro is sought in the Old Trafford engine room. Raids on Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Real Madrid have been mooted.

Cole Palmer has seen a return to his Manchester roots with United speculated on, and Joe Cole has told GOAL what a potential summer departure from Chelsea will be “dependent” on. The England international playmaker has cut a frustrated figure at times this season, with Champions League qualification seemingly destined to fall out of reach for those at Stamford Bridge.

Cristiano Ronaldo played alongside Michael Carrick at Manchester United, so would the Portuguese GOAT consider a return to Old Trafford if asked to tread that path by the Red Devils’ current boss? Louis Saha, another former colleague of CR7 at the so-called ‘Theatre of Dreams’, has explained to GOAL why record-chasing and bench duty will figure in any future planning from the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Liverpool have been advised on how to ensure that Rio Ngumoha continues to play with no fear, with Joe Cole answering wonderkid development and Mohamed Salah replacement questions during an exclusive interview with GOAL. The Reds will have attacking voids to fill at the start of the 2026-27 campaign, but they have been warned against lumping too much pressure on 17-year-old shoulders.

Harry Kane is considered to be the best No.9 in world football, with former team-mate Paul-Jose M’Poku explaining to GOAL why the Bayern Munich superstar sits above Kylian Mbappe on that list. The former Tottenham academy graduate has also speculated on whether the current England captain could be viewed as the greatest striker of his generation and how a late-career positional change may be on the cards.

Rodrygo has explained to GOAL how “healthy competition” between the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid helps to make “everyone better”. With the Blancos forever in the hunt for major honours at home and abroad, it is important for the highest of standards to be set by ‘Galactico’ performers behind the scenes.

Yoane Wissa made the brave decision to take on Newcastle’s No.9 shirt when completing a £55 million ($75m) transfer to St James’ Park, and Paul-Jose M’Poku has told GOAL why that call can still be justified. The former Brentford striker has endured a testing debut campaign on Tyneside, but a fellow countryman is confident that peak form will be rediscovered in time.

In 2016, Leicester City were Premier League champions and gracing Champions League competition. In 2021, they won the FA Cup and Community Shield - allowing another foray into European competition to be enjoyed. Fast forward five years and the Foxes have suffered back-to-back relegations and will be playing in League One next season. What has gone wrong? Paul Dickov has cast an eye over the “upsetting” situation during an exclusive interview with GOAL.

Paul Dickov has explained to GOAL why there is a “brilliant love-hate relationship” between Rayan Cherki and Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. The “cheeky” France international playmaker has become a fan favourite at the Etihad Stadium, but some antics do not sit well with his demanding manager. There is, however, plenty of mutual respect between the pair and Cherki is considered to boast “scary” potential.

Baller League is a mix of amateur players, former professionals and famous faces - with some of those calling shots as celebrity managers. The likes of Alisha Lehmann, Maya Jama, Idris Elba, Ian Wright, KSI and Angry Ginge have all passed through the Copper Box Arena. What do these A-list stars offer to the collective cause? Former Tottenham academy graduate and current Yanited star Paul-Jose M’Poku has answered that question during an exclusive interview with GOAL.

Worrying images of Jack Grealish have emerged that appear to show the England international falling asleep during a “boozy afternoon session” with friends. The 30-year-old playmaker has seen his 2025-26 campaign, and a loan spell at Everton from Premier League title chasers Manchester City, brought to a close by an unfortunate foot injury.

Arsenal hoped that Viktor Gyokeres would be the final piece in their Premier League title-winning puzzle, but Paul Dickov has told GOAL why the Gunners are still in need of an Erling Haaland-esque No.9. A player of that ilk has been sought at Emirates Stadium for some time, with the lack of a prolific striker considered to have contributed significantly to near misses on the domestic coronation front.

Erling Haaland is being backed to smash another record, one held by Arsenal and Liverpool legends Thierry Henry and Mohamed Salah, as the Manchester City striker closes in on his third Premier League Golden Boot. Only two men have ever collected four of those prizes, but Paul Dickov has told GOAL why an unstoppable Norwegian phenomenon will go on to rewrite the history books.

Barcelona have released a statement to confirm that Lamine Yamal will miss the remainder of season due to a hamstring injury. The Spain star suffered the issue in the action of scoring a penalty during his side's 1-0 win over Celta Vigo, with Barca issuing an update on the 18-year-old's World Cup prospects.

Paul Dickov has told GOAL that despite being unable to see Arsenal “sacking” Mikel Arteta, the Spaniard could still leave Emirates Stadium if another Premier League title falls agonisingly out of reach. Some uncomfortable questions are being asked in north London, following another collapse of sorts, with Dickov offering his take on the long-running “bottle” debate.

Southampton could boast a secret weapon in the FA Cup semi-finals, with Taylor Harwood-Bellis having the ear of Roy Keane - a man that loved to slay Manchester City in his playing days. The United legend is on hand to offer words of wisdom if required, although Saints icon Shane Long has told GOAL why asking questions of the enigmatic Irishman is not always the best of ideas.

Harry Kane once wrote a list of career goals that left Tottenham team-mates “laughing at him”, with fellow Spurs academy graduate Paul-Jose M’Poku telling GOAL who the “only person” that believed in the record-breaking striker was. In his younger years, few could have predicted what the current England captain would become. He has, however, had the last laugh and proved any doubters wrong.