Chris Flanagan
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
Tomas Soucek interview: "Declan Rice told us the Czech Republic can't beat England at Wembley"
By Chris Flanagan published
West Ham's Tomas Soucek once had to train amid dog muck in the Czech Republic. After propelling the Hammers up the Premier League table and into the Europa League, the midfielder is now ready to inflict some (more) misery on England
Harry Kane needs Jadon Sancho or Marcus Rashford to start for England – and the numbers prove it
By Chris Flanagan last updated
England weren't at their fluent best against Scotland in Friday's Euro 2020 clash - if they want goals, they could go back to a tried-and-tested trio
England Euro 2020 reaction: 5 big talking points from the draw against Scotland
By Chris Flanagan last updated
England vs Scotland was far from a classic – but FFT's Chris Flanagan was at Wembley to assess the action from the Three Lions' perspective
Euro 2020 interview with Joe Allen: "'Wales, chickens, Stoke' at 3am... I did enjoy that"
By Chris Flanagan published
After qualifying for Euro 2020, Joe Allen boogied with Wales fans on the streets of Cardiff – then almost missed the tournament through injury one year ago. As you might imagine, then, he’s rather grateful for the second chance…
Euro 2020: "If you haven't got belief, don't bother coming" - Raheem Sterling and Dominic Calvert-Lewin talk England's chances
By Chris Flanagan last updated
England's Euros record makes for pitiful reading, but with their Euro 2020 campaign set to take place almost entirely on home soil - if all goes to plan - and the brightest collection of talent in years, they have every reason for optimism this summer
Sterling deserved to start before Grealish – he's always seen Euro 2020 as his destiny
By Chris Flanagan published
The Manchester City wide man won the game against Croatia - FFT's Chris Flanagan explains why he's still vital for England
Euro 2020: The story of the first European Championship
By Chris Flanagan published
A year late, Euro 2020 now celebrates the less snappy 61st anniversary of the first European Championship, when the Soviet Union took the inaugural continental crown. Things have changed a bit...
Didier Drogba's last dance: How Chelsea's talisman delivered the Champions League
By Chris Flanagan published
Didier Drogba knew that the 2012 Champions League Final was his one chance to win Europe’s top prize before the Blues’ stars were split up. In an astonishing season of turmoil at Stamford Bridge, that waltz to glory never looked likely – and yet...
Rio Ferdinand interview: "I was so happy that Edwin van der Sar saved Anelka's penalty in 2008... I was next and wouldn't have scored!"
By Chris Flanagan last updated
In 2008, Rio Ferdinand added his name to an exclusive list of Manchester United captains to lift Ol’ Big Ears – and changed his life forever. He recalls the ecstasy of victory in Moscow, plus more defining moments that made him playing for West Ham, Leeds and England
Aaron Ramsey exclusive: "How about the final this time?! Stranger things have happened..."
By Chris Flanagan published
Aaron Ramsey experienced the greatest summer of his life five years ago, playing an integral role as Wales stunned the continent. As they prepare to go again, their ambitions remain limitless – though radical hairstyles may be off this time...
You Ask The Questions: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – "I want to play with creativity and imagination, just as I learned under Sir Alex Ferguson"
By Chris Flanagan published
He's on the precipice of conquering Europe with Manchester United once more - let's look back at when we met Ole back in 2016...
FourFourTwo's end of season awards: Our writers choose their players, managers and teams of the season
By Ed McCambridge, Mark White, Chris Flanagan published
Let's look back at the good, the bad and the ugly of this last season and the people who defined this strange campaign
Ivan Toney exclusive: "I'm the best player in the Football League, now I want to do the same in the Premier League!"
By Chris Flanagan published
Brentford forward Ivan Toney was recently crowned FFT's best player in the Football League, but the goal-hungry has his sights set on Premier League glory too...
RANKED! FourFourTwo’s 50 best Football League players 2021
By Chris Flanagan, George Elek, Ali Maxwell, Ed McCambridge, Mark White last updated
FFT presents our annual rundown of the finest players from outside the top flight, as voted for by you, the fans...
From 20th to promotion: How Bolton fell in love with the team they never saw
By Chris Flanagan published
After a remarkable turnaround, the Trotters are back in League One - prompting an emotional first meeting with their fans
Can Wayne Rooney save Derby from relegation to League One?
By Chris Flanagan published
Wayne Rooney began life as Derby County manager in impressive fashion, but the harsh reality of the Championship soon hit for the Manchester United and England legend
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry chats to FFT: “Why did I want to become a manager? Maybe because I’m crazy”
By Chris Flanagan published
Thierry Henry made Arsenal fans the envy of football over eight years in north London, but little has gone his way in the dugout to date. The Gunners great talks FFT through his battle as a boss – and why the dream of coaching his beloved club will never die
Jack Charlton remembered: FourFourTwo celebrates the everlasting laughs of Giant Jack with those who knew him best
By Chris Flanagan published
Last July, football mourned after losing one of its greatest ever characters; a man loved in not one but two nations thanks to his outstanding work as both a player and manager
Barrowcelona 2.0: How Bolton Wanderers have become English football’s form team
By Chris Flanagan last updated
After years of decline, the Trotters have undergone an astonishing revival. FFT was at Forest Green on Saturday to find out why
Son Heung-min's incredible journey to the top: how the Tottenham star made it
By Chris Flanagan published
LONGREAD Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min was already an icon in South Korea, but Son-mania has now gone global. From failed trials at Portsmouth to idol status in Seoul, this is the in-depth story of the greatest Asian footballer of all time...
England Euro 2020 squad: FourFourTwo writers pick who they'd take this summer
By Mark White, Conor Pope, Ed McCambridge, Joe Brewin, James Andrew, Chris Flanagan, Ryan Dabbs last updated
Some of us are being cautious, while others are going full-out attack - here are our 23-man squads for this summer's tournament
How Atalanta survived a nightmare year to continue their Champions League dream
By Chris Flanagan last updated
The Bergamo region of Italy was one of Europe's worst-hit areas in the first wave of coronavirus – and Atalanta's debut Champions League campaign may have contributed to it
Gianfranco Zola: How the Chelsea legend weaved his magic as English football watched in awe
By Chris Flanagan published
Long before Roman Abramovich’s billions and Jose Mourinho’s opinions, there was a tiny Sardinian who transformed the face of Chelsea forever...
Berlusconi, Balotelli and Boateng are back! How Silvio, Mario and Kevin-Prince are aiming for the top again at Monza
By Chris Flanagan published
Silvio Berlusconi bought AC Milan 35 years ago and turned them into a powerhouse of the European game. Now owner of Monza, the small club standing on the cusp of reaching Serie A for the first time in their history
David Ginola interview: “People said I was more focused on modelling and L’Oreal – I wanted to prove them wrong”
By Chris Flanagan last updated
INTERVIEW Former Newcastle and Tottenham star David Ginola arrived in England in 1995 with journalists asking him who he was – then picked up the Player of the Year award aged 32...