Latest articles by Chris Flanagan
‘This agent had a briefcase full of cash sitting right next to him, about £50,000. I was only 16, and all of these crazy things had already started happening’ John Obi Mikel on the surreal race for his signature
EXCLUSIVE The Nigerian was the subject of a controversial 2006 transfer when Manchester United and Chelsea fought for his signature
‘Liverpool’s midfield has looked more vulnerable defensively so far, but that’s not because of Florian Wirtz – they need Ryan Gravenberch back, he’s been so underrated’ Former Anfield pass master assesses their new-look side
EXCLUSIVE Ex-Reds midfielder tells FourFourTwo why the Dutchman could be crucial again for Liverpool this season, on his return to the team
‘It was easy to judge Alexander Isak when we were only hearing Newcastle United’s side of the story – these kinds of arguments happen at all clubs, it happened to me with Tony Pulis’ Former Liverpool attacker DEFENDS star at centre of transfer dispute
EXCLUSIVE Ex-Anfield ace tells FourFourTwo what it's like for a player to be refused a move that they've set their heart on – and believe they've been promised
‘It’s not going to be that easy, but Forest’s ability to counter-attack will stand them in massively good stead, particularly away’ Stan Collymore outlines why Forest could be suited to European football
EXCLUSIVE Forest are back in Europe for the first time since the 1995/96 season
‘I want to see them push the teams who’ve been challenging regularly over the past few seasons. To truly challenge, I think Chelsea need two more years’ William Gallas on Chelsea’s next steps
EXCLUSIVE The former Chelsea defender assesses his old club’s progress under Todd Boehly
‘No European football means less money to spend, and less reason to choose Manchester United over others’ Brian McClair on Manchester United’s major transfer issue this summer
EXCLUSIVE The Red Devils limped to a 15th-place finish last season
‘He’s taking over a squad that were terrible last season but have Champions League football, it’s literally the best opportunity to take over a football club. You’ve got a team who can’t get any worse than 17th’ Jamie O’Hara on Thomas Frank at Spurs
EXCLUSIVE Thomas Frank replaced Ange Postecoglou in the Tottenham dugout this summer
‘I can’t see Rodrygo leaving Real Madrid for Manchester City, but things didn’t work for him last season – maybe Kylian Mbappe's arrival unbalanced the team’ Steve McManaman talks to FFT about his old club, and why they’re still favourites for La Liga
The Real Madrid legend speaks exclusively to FourFourTwo ahead of the start of the new Spanish top-flight season
Former Republic of Ireland star dad Rory tells FFT about his stance on Liam Delap’s international future: ‘He’s spoken to both England and Ireland – I’m so proud of what he’s achieving’
Long throw cult hero Rory Delap gives thoughts on his son's fine progress – and why he swapped the Champions League for Prenton Park
‘Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City are all capable of HISTORIC feat – it will be really exciting if one of them is in contention to do both’ Sky Sports pundit assesses the chances of a historic double
Izzy Christiansen says any of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City could win both the Premier League and the WSL this season
‘I used to ride a motorbike and my crash helmet would get filled. From my point of view, the best was talcum powder, but there were other things…’ Dave Beasant on Wimbledon’s Crazy Gang dressing room pranks
EXCLUSIVE The Crazy Gang's antics were the stuff of legend in the 1980s
‘Birmingham City can absolutely get promoted this season – the main worry I have is whether last year was too easy for them’ Former Blues striker Troy Deeney tells FFT he’s backing his boyhood club to go again, after they set records in League One
The lifelong Birmingham fan is relishing their return to the Championship, ahead of their season opener at home to Ipswich
‘I made the right decision to miss the Euros – I haven’t thought about a return to the England squad yet, but I’m feeling good and excited to play football again’ Millie Bright talks exclusively to FourFourTwo, at launch of her own sportswear range
Lionesses legend Millie Bright explains why she's raring to go for the new WSL season with Chelsea, after sitting out England's successful Euros campaign
‘I still recall the feeling of hitting the ball. I was shattered, 32,000 people were watching me, but it was like when you hit the perfect golf shot – you just know, by the sound and the feel’ Gordon Strachan on firing Leeds United to promotion
EXCLUSIVE The Scottish midfield maestro delivered at the perfect moment to end Leeds’ ‘80s top-flight exile
‘The balance of power has shifted towards owners. Brian Clough dominated the board – because Evangelos Marinakis is so hands on, Nuno Espirito Santo’s role is more like Peter Taylor’ Stuart Pearce discusses Nottingham Forest, as part of new game launch
In an exclusive interview with FourFourTwo, the City Ground legend has his say on the combination that's brought success back to his former club
‘Paul Merson would have been the best at walking football, he always walked around the pitch anyway! A different team-mate of mine would have found it tough’ Former England goalkeeper David James visits a St Helens walking football team
Speaking to FourFourTwo, the ex-Liverpool shot-stopper explains which Anfield pal might have struggled in a different discipline
‘I can remember Dennis Wise following me up – when I lifted the trophy, I heard him behind cheering and shouting, “You bastards!” I thought, “You can’t say that in front of Princess Diana!”’ Dave Beasant on Wimbledon’s 1988 FA Cup upset win over Liverpool
EXCLUSIVE The former Crazy Gang stopper saved a penalty in the shock 1988 FA Cup victory
‘The relationship between fans and owner has been toxic at Sheffield Wednesday for a long time – why wasn’t the owner trying to sell the club as soon as possible?’ Former Owls striker saddened by Championship side’s crisis
In an exclusive interview, EFL pundit expresses his bewilderment at recent events at Hillsborough
Will All Three Promoted Clubs Be Relegated From The Premier League Again?
DEBATE FourFourTwo writers debate a burning question ahead of the 2025/26 season
‘There’s a lot to do and not a lot of time to do it in, but we’re committed and that’s the most important thing’ Gary Neville on seeing Wrexham leapfrog Salford City
EXCLUSIVE After four promotions in five years, the Class of ’92-backed Salford City have spent six seasons in League Two
‘It’s the greatest thing I’ve ever done. The Class of ’92 were born out of people believing in, teaching and mentoring us, showing us the right standards’ Gary Neville on how his own university is helping the next generation
EXCLUSIVE The former full-back and his Class of ’92 pals are teaching students about the business of football, including data analysis and player recruitment
He's done it six times – Billy Sharp's guide to promotion
Need your club to go up in 25-26? Veteran EFL striker Billy Sharp has done it six times and offers FourFourTwo a seven-point plan outlining exactly how it’s done
‘If Luis Diaz wanted to leave Liverpool for Barcelona, I’d say “Fine, I get it.” When it’s Bayern Munich, I think ‘Why?’ But South American players do sometimes leave for more money’ Former Reds star surprised by winger’s possible move to Germany
In an exclusive interview, an ex-Anfield ace explains why Diaz's likely transfer to the Bundesliga has raised eyebrows
‘I hope I entertained people. I know I did. When someone watches my clips back, I want them to see poetry in motion – how you dance with the ball’ Dimitar Berbatov addresses his place in football history
EXCLUSIVE The former Manchester United and Tottenham forward was one of the most talented players of his generation
‘I was marking Ian Wright and kicked him all round Wembley, which I loved. We were later West Ham room-mates – he’d beat me up in the middle of the night!” Neil Ruddock on the 1993 FA Cup semi-final
EXCLUSIVE ‘Razor’ Ruddock loved a battle and a north London derby at Wembley was the perfect stage to lock horns with the former England striker
