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Neil Banerjee

European football writer

📝 Bio: I write about European football for GOAL, with a soft spot for transfer sagas, on-pitch stories and the tactical set-ups that decide games. Over six years I’ve covered South American leagues, Premier League, MLS and major European competitions, focusing on data-backed tactical analysis, transfer market dynamics and feature storytelling.

My Football Story: My journey into football started with Fernando Torres - a player I admired long before I picked a club. When he left Liverpool for Chelsea, I realised you don’t simply follow transfers, you follow identity, history and community, and that’s when Chelsea became mine. Hours spent on Football Manager opened my eyes to the tactical and business side of the game - budgets, squad harmony, transfers - the very details that now shape my reporting.

🎯 Areas of Expertise:

  • In-depth tactical analysis & transfer market coverage
  • Fan-first storytelling across European football
  • Insight on Premier League, Champions League & major European leagues
  • Coverage of football culture, dressing-room dynamics & club business
  • Feature writing & match analysis that connects fans to the game

🌟 Favourite Footballing Memory: Standing in the stands at Moscow’s Spartak Stadium during the 2018 World Cup, I watched England and Colombia trade blows under the lights. Yerry Mina’s towering stoppage-time header sent shockwaves through the crowd, and for a moment it felt like the whole stadium was shaking. That night wasn’t just about the result; it was about witnessing football’s power to unite strangers in pure, unfiltered emotion. And as if the drama wasn’t enough, I even managed to meet Harry Kane after England’s shootout win, a moment that made the night unforgettable.

Articles by Neil Banerjee
  1. Lazio take legal action over 'false' Qatari takeover rumours

    Lazio have strongly refuted claims of a potential Qatari takeover, denouncing them as “completely unfounded” and “fabricated” attempts to destabilise the club and manipulate its stock market value. The Serie A side confirmed no contact or proposal has ever been received from Qatari or other foreign funds. Legal reports have been filed with Italian financial and judicial authorities to identify and act against those behind the rumours.

  2. Zidane urged to take Juventus job by AC Milan legend Sacchi

    AC Milan legend Arrigo Sacchi has publicly urged Zinedine Zidane to take over as Juventus head coach. Sacchi hailed Zidane for creating a "machine of beauty" at Real Madrid, emphasising the Frenchman’s ability to combine attacking football with a winning mentality. With Juventus currently undergoing a major sporting renewal, Sacchi believes Zidane's tactical balance and deep connection to the club make the reunion a perfect fit.

  3. Big blow for Man Utd, Arsenal & Chelsea as Yildiz nears decision on Juve future

    Juventus have launched an ambitious two-year plan aimed at winning the Champions League and Serie A . The club’s top priority is securing the long-term future of Turkish prodigy Kenan Yildiz, whose contract renewal until 2030 is central to the project. Backed by a capital increase and extending key players like Khephren Thuram, the vision signals Juve's firm intent to reclaim their elite status.

  4. 'Risky' Woltemade transfer haunts Stuttgart coach

    Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeness has not minced words about the club's "risky" decision to sell star striker Nick Woltemade late in the summer window without securing a replacement. The decision to sell the forward late in the summer transfer window has resulted in a drop in quality, the coach argued. With top scorer Ermedin Demirovic now sidelined by injury, Hoeness says the task has become "significantly more challenging".

  5. Barca to 'build bridges' with UEFA after dropping Super League

    Barcelona are working to repair their reputation and relationships after the controversial European Super League plan, which promised elite clubs guaranteed participation and massive revenues but quickly collapsed under widespread backlash. Under president Joan Laporta, the club is now focusing on rebuilding trust with UEFA, European Football Clubs (EFC) chief Nasser Al-Khelaifi, and the wider continental football community.

  6. Osimhen says he was forced into transfer while father was dying

    Victor Osimhen has revealed that he was pressured into signing for Napoli in 2020 while his father was dying, claiming agents and club officials forced the transfer without his consent. The Nigerian striker said he had no access to a draft of his contract and felt ignored during negotiations led by Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis and Lille officials. He recounted the story to authorities amid an ongoing capital gains probe.

  1. De Zerbi says Rabiot-Rowe fight was 'good' for Marseille

    Months after the explosive dressing-room fight that rocked Marseille and sent Adrien Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe out of the club, coach Roberto De Zerbi has said the team are better off without the duo. The pair were sold in response to the altercation that occurred after their first game of the season and De Zerbi has hinted at deeper problems with French midfielder Rabiot as he defended the club's reaction.

  2. Real Madrid 'have no say' as La Liga chief defends Barca match in Miami

    La Liga president Javier Tebas has defended the decision to stage the Villarreal vs Barcelona clash in Miami in December, calling it a move driven by fans, clubs, and players. Amid criticism from Real Madrid and others, Tebas dismissed opposition, arguing global exposure is vital for Spanish football, while insisting the match preserves competition integrity and benefits international fans.

  3. Barca owe €160m to Man City, Leeds, Bayern for star transfers

    Barcelona still owe a staggering €159 million (£138m/$184m) to several clubs for past transfers, including deals for Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres. Despite generating nearly €1bn (£870m/$1.16bn) in revenue, Barca’s mounting short-term debts and delayed transfer payments reveal that the club is still struggling to regain its financial footing after years of reckless spending.

  4. Mbappe more frightening than Bellingham, says Cubarsi

    As anticipation builds for the season’s first Clasico, Barcelona’s young defensive prodigy Pau Cubarsi has claimed that Kylian Mbappe is “harder to stop” than Jude Bellingham, praising the Frenchman’s blistering pace and lethal finishing. With Real Madrid sitting top of the table with 21 points and Barca just two behind, the Santiago Bernabeu clash promises to be a defining early chapter in La Liga's title race.

  5. 'Fighter' Vardy helping Cremonese score despite wait for first Serie A goal

    Cremonese head coach Davide Nicola remains unwavering in his trust in "fighter" Jamie Vardy as the striker prepares for his first start since joining the Serie A club in the summer. He came off the bench as Inter claimed a dominant 4-1 victory last week, but his coach was positive about his impact and feels he makes the team more threatening even though he is yet to find the net across two substitute appearances.

  6. Barca loanee Fati makes Ligue 1 history with Monaco double

    Once hailed as Lionel Messi's heir, Ansu Fati's promising career was derailed by injury setbacks and uncertain loan spells, but the Spanish prodigy has finally found his fire again at Monaco. His electrifying resurgence is cemented by breaking a decades-old Ligue 1 scoring record, as he became the fastest player to reach five goals.