📝Bio: Soham has been living and breathing football stories for almost a decade, carving his path as a news and SEO writer with an instinct for the big moments. Armed with an MA (Honours) in Sports Journalism from Symbiosis International University, he knew early on that his future wouldn’t be on the pitch but behind the pen, shaping narratives about the game he adores. He joined GOAL in 2017 and has since made his mark covering the Indian Super League, I-League, and the Indian national team. Based in Kolkata, where football is a religion, he grew up watching Bhaichung Bhutia scoring goals for fun in India, before falling head over heels for Real Madrid, a club that now dictates the rhythm of his everyday life.⚽My Football Story: It all began back in 2002. A cricket bat in hand, ready to step out, but then the skies opened up. The rain kept me indoors, and that twist of fate led me to the sofa, beside my father, who had a football match on TV. Little did I know at the time but it was the World Cup final: Brazil vs Germany. Forget the goals – what grabbed my imagination was Ronaldo’s haircut and his iconic celebration. From there, cricket slowly faded and football fever took over. By my teenage years, I was sneaking out of bed at 1am to watch the Champions League - fair to say I was hooked for life.
🎯Areas of Expertise:
Social media-specific content
Premier League, Champions League, European & Indian football coverage
Tactical analysis on the Indian national team
World Cup & European Championship tournaments
🌟Favourite Footballing Memory: The day Mohun Bagan demolished East Bengal 5-3 in the Kolkata Derby, with Chidi Edeh scoring four - a moment when the city turned maroon and green. But nothing beats the spine-tingling sight of Sergio Ramos’ 93rd-minute header in Lisbon, the goal that crowned Real Madrid’s La Decima and etched itself into footballing history.📝My All-Time XI: Iker Casillas; Phillip Lahm, Sergio Ramos, Fabio Cannavaro, Roberto Carlos; Claude Makélélé, Ronaldinho, Zinedine Zidane; Cristiano Ronaldo, Raúl, Lionel Messi.
Grimsby brutally trolled Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim with a hilarious line-up announcement following their Carabao Cup heroics. It was the first time in history that United had ever been eliminated from the competition by a team from the fourth tier of English football.
Chelsea face a tough trip to Bayern Munich whereas Newcastle are set to host Barcelona in the opening week as UEFA announced Champions League fixtures for the 2025-26 campaign. The German giants, led by Harry Kane, will be eager to assert their dominance early, making Chelsea’s task all the more difficult.
Jarrod Bowen named one trophy he would love to win with West Ham as England star ruled out lifting the Premier League. With Graham Potter’s team under intense scrutiny after a humiliating start to the season, Bowen has shared his personal goal for the club this year: winning the FA Cup.
Jose Mourinho was spotted at the Istanbul airport waiting for his flight to leave Turkey after being sacked by Fenerbahce. Just two days after the Turkish club failed to secure a spot in the Champions League group stage, the Portuguese was shown the door. They were knocked out by Benfica in the Champions League play-off, losing 1-0 on aggregate.
Christopher Nkunku has officially joined AC Milan from Chelsea for a permanent fee of €42 million (£36.2m/$49m). The French forward has signed a five-year contract, keeping him at the club until 2030. This deal comes after a challenging and injury-ridden stint in West London, where Nkunku struggled to establish himself as a regular under Enzo Maresca.
Kobbie Mainoo’s future at Manchester United remains uncertain, with the 20-year-old midfielder determined to secure a loan move away from Old Trafford, despite the club's insistence that he stay and fight for his place. The England youth international has reiterated his desire to leave the club, particularly after his exclusion from the England squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, a decision made by manager Thomas Tuchel due to his lack of playing time.
Rasmus Hojlund could reportedly join Scott McTominay at Napoli after Manchester United agreed a deal with the Serie A giants. The deal is said to involve a season-long loan, with a €44million (£38m/$51.4m) obligation to buy, coupled with a loan fee, should Napoli secure Champions League qualification. However, the young striker, still 22, has not yet committed to the move.
Thomas Tuchel had a "difficult" phone call with Trent Alexander-Arnold to inform the defender of the England axe with the Three Lions boss keen to make squad "more spicy". The German manager confirmed that the Real Madrid right-back, once considered an automatic pick, was dropped after falling behind Reece James and rising star Tino Livramento in the pecking order.
Ruben Amorim issues another apology to disgruntled Manchester United fans in an incredibly brief 95-word programme notes ahead of their Burnley clash. The Portuguese coach, already skating on thin ice after the midweek Carabao Cup embarrassment at League Two minnows Grimsby, used his platform to plead for unity. But for many at Old Trafford, his words will ring hollow after yet another night of humiliation for a club already teetering on the brink.
Real Betis have put out a statement confirming that they have pulled out of Antony transfer unless Manchester United shell out an exit fee or the player lowers his salary demands. The La Liga side sensationally walked away from a deal just hours after a transfer package worth £21.6 million ($29m) had been agreed. Betis admitted they couldn’t afford the astronomical financial demands tied to the agreement with United.
Mikel Arteta provided an update on Bukayo Saka's injury timeline and revealed that Martin Odegaard is facing a race against time to be fit for Arsenal's trip to Liverpool. The Gunners' unbeaten run at the start of the Premier League season has been dealt a heavy blow after Saka was ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Arne Slot congratulated Newcastle for signing striker Nick Woltemade ahead of Liverpool's potential new bid for Alexander Isak. The Magpies are reportedly on the verge of announcing their most expensive signing in club history after striking a £74 million deal with Stuttgart for the German striker. His arrival comes at a crucial moment for Eddie Howe’s squad, with Anthony Gordon suspended and Isak’s future hanging by a thread.
Manchester United have been told to bring back club legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following his sacking from Besiktas. Solskjaer has barely had time to catch his breath after being shown the door at Besiktas, but his name is already dominating headlines in Manchester. The 52-year-old was dismissed by the Turkish giants after crashing out of the Conference League play-offs at the hands of Lausanne.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been dropped by England boss Thomas Tuchel for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers but the likes of Adam Wharton and Djed Spence have earned a call-up. The Three Lions face Andorra at Villa Park on September 6 before travelling to Serbia on September 9, and Tuchel has taken a brave call by omitting the star right-back.
Kobbie Mainoo reportedly wants a transfer to Napoli, but Manchester United are blocking an exit due to the success of Scott McTominay. A £50 million ($67m) deal is being discussed and the Italian champions are ready to offer a four-year deal for the youngster.
Nottingham Forest star, Elliot Anderson, is reportedly set for a surprise England call-up as Thomas Tuchel looks to reward his fine form. The midfielder, who starred in England’s Under-21 European Championship triumph earlier this summer, has been tipped for greatness by Forest staff, and his rapid ascent now looks set to earn its biggest reward yet.
Liverpool are reportedly ready to submit a British-record £130 million ($175m) bid for Alexander Isak as Newcastle close in on Nick Woltemade as a replacement. The Reds, who have been circling the Swedish forward all summer, are said to be moving closer to tabling an official offer this weekend, with The Telegraph claiming the next 48 hours will be crucial.
Fermin Lopez reportedly wants to stay at Barcelona as the Blaugrana demand €90 million (£78m/$105m) from Chelsea to consider selling the midfielder. The Blues launched a €50m (£43m/$58m) opening bid only to be met with outright resistance from the Catalan giants. The 22-year-old midfielder remains firmly committed to continuing at Camp Nou, even as the Premier League side dangles eye-watering financial incentives in front of him.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has broken his silence on the future of star defender Marc Guehi, who is at the centre of a transfer storm just days before the window slams shut. With Liverpool plotting a last-minute swoop for the England international, Palace find themselves fighting to keep hold of one of their most prized assets.
Ruben Amorim is reportedly being questioned by an unhappy Manchester United dressing room as some players believe he will even quit if results continue this way. The mood at Carrington has reached a new low as Amorim faces a crisis of confidence from within his own squad. Several players believe the Portuguese tactician might not survive the international break if results don’t change, with fears he could walk away rather than alter his footballing principles.