Chris Flanagan

Chris Flanagan

Senior Staff Writer

Chris joined FourFourTwo in 2015 and has reported from more than 20 countries, in places as varied as Ivory Coast and the Arctic Circle. He's interviewed Pele, Zlatan and Santa Claus (it's a long story), as well as covering the World Cup, AFCON and the Clasico. He previously spent 10 years as a newspaper journalist, and completed the 92 in 2017.

Latest articles by Chris Flanagan

Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi is entering the last 12 months of his contract
‘I deeply hope Marc Guehi is still at Crystal Palace for the rest of the season – when the window shuts, I’ll go to the pub and order a pint of beer’ Boss Oliver Glasner speaks out on Liverpool target

By Chris Flanagan Published

Eagles gaffer is holding on to hope that his star defender will remain at Selhurst Park for the rest of the campaign

Stories
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Welcome to Kairat Almaty: the Champions League's easternmost fixture

By Chris Flanagan Published

LONG READ As Central Asia prepares to be represented at the World Cup for the first time by Uzbekistan, FFT visited the region to witness a European match near the Chinese border

LONG READ
Lamine Yamal on the ball for Barcelona against Royal Antwerp in the Champions League in September 2023.
'If you’re going on holiday with an older woman, make sure it’s your mother!’ Legendary wonderkid Freddy Adu offers Lamine Yamal advice on how not to get derailed by media attention

By Chris Flanagan Published

The American once dubbed 'the next Pele', has been impressed by Yamal's talents, but warns of the potential pitfalls ahead

Stories
England boss Thomas Tuchel has laid down the law
‘He’s got a really tough job to keep everything Southgate built up, add his own style of play and push this side over the last hurdle and win a trophy, in less than two years’ Teddy Sheringham on Thomas Tuchel’s England challenge

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE The former Three Lions striker has weighed up the size of the task facing the England boss

EXCLUSIVE
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest at Anfield on October 29, 2023 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images)
‘I understand the pressures Alisson has to play under. So much goes on in footballers’ lives, but he kept his performance levels up as Liverpool won the Premier League last season’ David James’ admiration for his Reds successor

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE The former Reds and England stopper has been impressed by the Brazilian’s consistancy

EXCLUSIVE
Sir Alex Ferguson looks on during a Manchester United game against Charlton Athletic in May 2003.
‘It was just Sir Alex and me in a room. It was difficult to say no to the greatest manager of all time, to his face’ Why a teenage John Obi Mikel turned down Manchester United

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE The Nigerian was the subject of a long-running transfer dispute between Chelsea and Manchester United as a teenager

EXCLUSIVE
John Obi Mikel
‘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

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE The Nigerian was the subject of a controversial 2006 transfer when Manchester United and Chelsea fought for his signature

EXCLUSIVE
Ryan Gravenberch of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Anfield on November 27, 2024 in Liverpool, England.
‘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

By Chris Flanagan Published

EXCLUSIVE Ex-Reds midfielder tells FourFourTwo why the Dutchman could be crucial again for Liverpool this season, on his return to the team

EXCLUSIVE
Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak was substituted during the win over Brentford
‘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

By Chris Flanagan Published

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

EXCLUSIVE
Nottingham Forest players celebrate victory in a penalty shootout in the FA Cup quarter-final against Brighton & Hove Albion, March 2025
‘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

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE Forest are back in Europe for the first time since the 1995/96 season

EXCLUSIVE
Chelsea and Donald Trump with the Club World Cup trophy
‘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

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE The former Chelsea defender assesses his old club’s progress under Todd Boehly

EXCLUSIVE
Manchester United minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe
‘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

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE The Red Devils limped to a 15th-place finish last season

EXCLUSIVE
Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank reacts prior to the pre-season friendly match between Reading and Tottenham Hotspur at Select Car Leasing Stadium on July 19, 2025 in Reading, England.
‘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

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE Thomas Frank replaced Ange Postecoglou in the Tottenham dugout this summer

EXCLUSIVE
Rodrygo has been linked with a move to the Premier League over the past week
‘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

By Chris Flanagan Published

The Real Madrid legend speaks exclusively to FourFourTwo ahead of the start of the new Spanish top-flight season

Stories
Liam Delap
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’

By Chris Flanagan Published

Long throw cult hero Rory Delap gives thoughts on his son's fine progress – and why he swapped the Champions League for Prenton Park

Stories
Bukayo Saka celebrates after scoring for Arsenal against Tottenham in April 2024.
‘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

By Chris Flanagan Published

Izzy Christiansen says any of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City could win both the Premier League and the WSL this season

Stories
Wimbledon goalscorer Lawrie Sanchez, with the FA Cup on his head, and goalkeeper Dave Beasant, wearing a hard hat, celebrate after victory over Liverpool in the 1988 final
‘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

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE The Crazy Gang's antics were the stuff of legend in the 1980s

EXCLUSIVE
Troy Deeney last played for Forest Green in 2023
‘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

By Chris Flanagan Published

The lifelong Birmingham fan is relishing their return to the Championship, ahead of their season opener at home to Ipswich

Stories
Millie Bright of Chelsea poses for a portrait during the Chelsea FC Portraits Session at Chelsea Training Ground on September 17, 2024 in Cobham, England.
‘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

By Chris Flanagan Published

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

Stories
Gordon Strachan in action for Leeds United
‘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

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE The Scottish midfield maestro delivered at the perfect moment to end Leeds’ ‘80s top-flight exile

EXCLUSIVE
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo
‘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

By Chris Flanagan Published

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

Stories
David James
‘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

By Chris Flanagan Published

Speaking to FourFourTwo, the ex-Liverpool shot-stopper explains which Anfield pal might have struggled in a different discipline

Stories
Wimbledon's Eric Young, Lawrie Sanchez, Dave Beasant and Terry Phelan celebrate with the FA Cup after beating Liverpool in the 1988 final
‘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

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE The former Crazy Gang stopper saved a penalty in the shock 1988 FA Cup victory

EXCLUSIVE
Sheffield Wednesday are owned by Thai businessman Dejphon Chansiri
‘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

By Chris Flanagan Published

In an exclusive interview, EFL pundit expresses his bewilderment at recent events at Hillsborough

Stories
Will All Three Promoted Clubs Be Relegated From The Premier League Again?

By Ed McCambridge, Chris Flanagan Published

DEBATE FourFourTwo writers debate a burning question ahead of the 2025/26 season

DEBATE
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