📝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.
Vinicius Junior is reportedly set to be dropped from the Brazil squad by Carlo Ancelotti for the September World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia. Ancelotti, who was once Vinicius' loudest cheerleader at Real Madrid, might rest the star forward during the upcoming international window.
Newcastle United’s hunt for a new frontman has swung dramatically back to Paris-Saint Germain striker Goncalo Ramos, with reports revealing that the 24-year-old has resurfaced as a genuine option at St. James’ Park. Earlier this month, the Portugal international was brushed aside as an unlikely target after initial probes suggested PSG were unwilling to budge.
Barcelona have slammed the door shut on Manchester City’s attempts to prise Jules Kounde away, with the Frenchman signing a mammoth new contract tying him to the Catalan giants until 2030. The defender’s previous deal was set to run until 2027, but months of negotiations finally ended with a fresh agreement that cements his future at the Camp Nou.
Nottingham Forest are reportedly going all in for Manchester City’s versatile young star Rico Lewis. Determined to pull off one of the summer’s most audacious moves, Forest have promised the 20-year-old both a guaranteed starting role and a salary package that would double his current wages, as revealed by talkSPORT. Lewis himself is open to the switch, with Forest pushing to seal an agreement with City before their European campaign kicks into gear.
Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney touched down to witness Wrexham’s first home match in the Championship against West Brom in front of a packed-out SToK Cae Ras. The timing couldn’t be bigger. Just a week ago, Wrexham’s Championship debut ended in heartbreak at St Mary’s when Southampton stunned them with two stoppage-time goals to snatch a 2-1 comeback. Now, the club’s glamorous backers hope the team can bounce back with three points.
Enzo Maresca has slammed the door on Nicolas Jackson’s Chelsea future making it clear the Senegalese striker is expendable. While the forward is still technically training with the senior squad, the Italian tactician admitted he won’t feature anymore and is available for transfer.
Turkish champions Galatasaray have reportedly submitted a formal offer for Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson. The initial proposal is worth around €10 million, but City have made it clear they won’t green-light the move unless an improved bid is submitted. Paris Saint-Germain's Gianluigi Donnarumma could replace the Brazilian stopper.
Federico Chiesa claimed that he is happy at Liverpool after his goal scoring heroics against Bournemouth at Anfield. The Italian forward, once dismissed as a fading star, finally announced himself in England with a decisive strike in the Reds’ chaotic 4-2 victory over Bournemouth.
Barcelona fans can finally breathe a sigh of relief as both Marcus Rashford and Joan Garcia have been registered with La Liga. The England international, who arrived on loan from Manchester United earlier this summer, had been waiting anxiously as paperwork and financial adjustments dragged on. However, the authorities have now cleared him to participate in an official match.
Jamie Carragher has made a surprising claim against Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, insisting the Spaniard "definitely stole" Martin Zubimendi away from Liverpool. The ex-Real Sociedad midfielder, who had been on the Reds’ radar for over a year, shocked many by snubbing Merseyside in favour of a blockbuster £51 million ($69m) switch to the Emirates this summer.
Hugo Ekitike announced himself to the Premier League in spectacular fashion, becoming only the second player in Liverpool’s history to mark his league debut with both a goal and an assist. The summer arrival from Eintracht Frankfurt had already opened his Reds account in the Community Shield last week, but under the Anfield lights on Friday night, he proved he was ready to deliver on the biggest stage.
Bournemouth captain Adam Smith has responded to the alleged racist abuse aimed at his team-mate Antoine Semenyo during the 4-2 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield. The game, which was marked by tributes to the late Diogo Jota, had to be stopped by referee Anthony Taylor in the 28th minute after Semenyo reported being abused.
Arne Slot believes Chelsea will be a top contender who can challenge Liverpool in the Premier League title race. The Dutchman, who stunned England last term by strolling to the championship ahead of Arsenal, now insists the west London giants have the weapons to push his Reds all the way.
Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal now stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Europe's elite, but admits his reign will only be complete when the club clinches a major trophy. The Spaniard made a bold claim that his side have been "transformed" since he took charge, pointing to an incorrect record as the Premier League's most consistent points scorers over the past three seasons.
Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly set their sights on Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers, with Spurs ready to pounce should financial headaches force a sale in the West Midlands. The 23-year-old has become one of the most talked about young attackers in England.
Manchester United’s transfer hopes have taken a brutal hit after Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler declared himself "very, very, very confident" that Carlos Baleba will remain at the Amex for the season. The 21-year-old midfield dynamo is a prime target for United, but their opening player-plus-cash proposal has already been thrown back in their face.
Former Arsenal and England defender Lee Dixon believes Eberechi Eze "could push Arsenal over the line" in their Premier League title bid but has warned the Gunners that he might be more inclined to join their derby rivals Tottenham Hotspur. In fact, Tottenham’s push has been accelerated by the crushing news that James Maddison will miss most of the season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly turned down the chance to bring Manchester United’s controversial winger Alejandro Garnacho to north London. Both clubs carried out extensive “due diligence” on the Argentine before deciding to pursue other attacking targets. The verdict was clear: despite Garnacho’s raw ability, the baggage that comes with him outweighed the potential upside.
Barcelona superstar Robert Lewandowski has stepped in to offer some big-brother advice to teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, as the youngster finds himself under a cloud of controversy just weeks after turning 18. The Spain international, hailed as one of the favourites to lift the Ballon d’Or this year, has been battling some PR nightmares off the pitch.
Newcastle United are set to go back in for Yoane Wissa after Brentford agreed a £37 million ($50m) fee to sign Dango Ouattara from Bournemouth. The Cherries forward has given the green light for a switch to the Gtech Community Stadium, with final formalities expected within days. Ouattara’s arrival effectively ends Brentford’s resistance to selling the DR Congo striker.