Lionel Messi has declared Emiliano Martinez 'the best goalkeeper in the world' after the Aston Villa star's latest heroics for Argentina.
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Martinez the hero in shootout victory
Messi missed Argentina's first penalty
Through to semi finals of Copa America
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Martinez saved two penalties as Argentina overcame Ecuador to reach the semi-finals of the Copa America. After Messi's chipped effort struck the crossbar, Martinez denied Angel Mena and Alan Minda to give La Albiceleste an early advantage, and Nicolas Otamendi tucked home the winning penalty to send them through.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Messi steals the headlines for his country but Martinez has proved his worth on more than one occasion, most notably in the 2022 World Cup final. Messi's declaration shows how much Argentina's captain values having a world-class goalkeeper between the sticks as the pair go in search of another international trophy.
WHAT MESSI SAID
Messi wrote on Instagram: "One more step… We suffered a lot against a tough opponent. We passed to the semis thanks to the work of everyone and on top of that we have the best goalkeeper in the world @emi_martinez26. Go Argentina!"
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WHAT NEXT FOR ARGENTINA?
Argentina will take on either Canada or Venezuela in the semi-finals. They have already won the Copa America 15 times in their history, including in 2021, and few would bet against Lionel Scaloni's current crop making it 16.
Crystal Palace are moving like a club with intent in the January transfer window as they attempt to bolster their playing squad ahead of the second half of the campaign.
A new striker is being targeted, while Daniel Munoz is reportedly on his way to replace Nathaniel Clyne at right back from Genk for a fee of £8.5m.
However, Roy Hodgson is also keen to improve in the middle of the park, with a midfielder on his shortlist.
Crystal Palace are looking to add a new midfielder to the squad
According to David Ornstein, the Eagles have had an £18.5m bid rejected for Adam Wharton.
Blackburn Rovers midfielder Adam Wharton.
However, Palace must significantly increase their offer if they are to acquire his services, with Blackburn Rovers wanting £25m as per The Guardian.
Therefore, the Premier League side has little time remaining to decide whether they want to progress with the move.
Journalist Ed Aarons now claims that the club remain in talks with the Championship side over a possible deal for the impressive youngster, despite their initial rejection, as they work on a swoop for the gem.
However, the reporter does not state whether or not they are prepared to go in with a higher offer for the second division starlet's services before the deadline.
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Luke Randall
Feb 1, 2024
How Wharton can take Eze to a whole new level
Eberechi Eze is one of the most entertaining players in the Premier League. Since moving to Palace in 2020 for £19.5m from QPR, he has developed into his side's most dangerous asset, registering 32 goal contributions in 112 games.
Last season was his most successful in an Eagles shirt, as he netted ten goals and produced four assists in 30 starts, but this season he has been fielded slightly deeper in the midfield of a 4-3-3, which has impacted his output in the final third.
However, that may not be the case for the remainder of the season, with the potential arrival of Wharton enabling Eze's creativity and skillful traits to flourish. The table below shows a handful of statistics from the 2023/24 Championship campaign that support this.
Wharton's Stats
Stats (per 90)
Wharton
League Percentile
Tackles
2.76
Top 11%
Dribblers challenged
3.04
Top 5%
Interceptions
1.47
Top 19%
Ball recoveries
6.58
Top 21%
Passes completed
47.51
Top 24%
Progressive passes
6.48
Top 20%
Stats via FBref
The 19-year-old midfielder has played 26 games for the Rovers this season, taking on the role of the left-sided midfielder in a 4-2-3-1. Wharton's biggest strength is his ability to win the ball back for his side, as shown by the defensive stats above, therefore relieving Eze of some defensive duties.
Despite being relatively inexperienced, he has been labelled "complete" by talent Scout Jacek Kulig, as the young ace is extremely comfortable on the ball and can progress play with ease, in turn allowing Hodgson's 25-year-old to get on the ball more frequently in positions where he can hurt the opposition.
Wharton could play in the double pivot at Palace as he does for his current club, pushing Eze into a number-ten role where he thrives, as shown by the fact he ranks first in the squad for shots, key passes, and successful dribbles.
He can also feature on the left of a midfield three, meaning that Palace's number ten could feature at left wing, where he can change a game with his ability on the ball, as per his former teammate Geoff Cameron.
Midfielder Adam Wharton celebrating for Blackburn Rovers.
Overall, Palace would be signing a gem who could lockdown their midfield for years to come, and the fact that he would unleash Eze's creativity is just a huge added bonus.
أعلن الجهاز الفني لفريق الكرة الأول بنادي أهلي جدة بقيادة المدرب ماتياس يايسله عن تشكيل لاعبيه لمباراة فريق جندل في كأس خادم الحرمين الشريفين.
ويلتقي الأهلي مع الجندل، على أرضية استاد الأمير عبد الله الفيصل، في إطار مباريات دور الـ 32 من بطولة كأس خادم الحرمين الشريفين.
ويدخل الأهلي مباراة اليوم طامحاً في الفوز وتحقيق نتيجة إيجابية وتقديم مستوى مميز في البطولة، بينما يرغب فريق الجندل في الفوز ومفاجأة جماهيره.
ويحتل الأهلي المركز السادس في سلم ترتيب بطولة الدوري السعودي برصيد 7 نقاط، حصدهم من انتصارين وتعادل وخسارة وحيدة.
موعد والقناة الناقلة لمباراة الأهلي والجندل اليوم في كأس خادم الحرمين الشريفين
أما فريق جندل الذي ينشط بدوري الدرجة الأولى السعودي (يلو)، ويحتل به المركز السادس عشر في جدول الترتيب برصيد 3 نقاط، حصدهم من انتصار وحيد و3 خسائر. تشكيل الأهلي أمام الجندل في كأس خادم الحرمين الشريفين
حراسة المرمى: إدوارد ميندي.
خط الدفاع: علي مجرشي- ميريح ديميرال- روجر إيبانيز- بسام الحريجي.
خط الوسط: زياد الجهني- جابري فيجا- ياسين الزبيدي.
خط الهجوم: روبيرتو فيرمينو- سميحان النابت- إيفان توني.
ويجلس على مقاعد البدلاء كل من: عبدالرحمن الصانبي- عبدالله عبده- محمد بكر- فراس البريكان- عبدالله العمار- فهد الرشيدي- فهد الحمد- سعد بالعبيد- علي الأسمري- عبدالكريم دارسي- فرانك كيسييه.
📋 تشكيلة الفريق ⚽️#الأهلي_الجندل #كأس_خادم_الحرمين_الشريفين#نحلم_ونحقق #اليوم_الوطني_السعودي pic.twitter.com/Mi49i4haL9
— النادي الأهلي السعودي (@ALAHLI_FC) September 23, 2024
Fast bowlers Jofra Archer and Mark Wood took three wickets each to wrap-up West Indies for a below-par total
The Report by Saurabh Somani14-Jun-2019 This was supposed to be a 350 meets 350 match. At least 300 versus 300. And, for those who dared hope, 400 from both teams. In the end, the combined total of both teams just about crossed 400, with England clinically dismantling West Indies at the Hampshire Bowl on Friday.After three no-result matches in the last four days, it was a bit of a relief to have cricket interrupt the rain. Dark clouds did hover, but metaphorical ones, over the fitness of two key England players. England turned up with their A game, befitting their favourite status. But West Indies were reading from the T20 playbook. They could muster only 212, a total that England romped to in 33.1 overs, riding on Joe Root’s third World Cup century.WATCH on Hotstar (India only): Highlights of England’s eight-wicket win over West IndiesEngland did it without two of their top four – opener Jason Roy and captain Eoin Morgan had limped off the field when West Indies were batting – making it an even more impressive display, though they will be sweating on the fitness of the two batsmen before their next game, against Afghanistan on June 18. Roy left in the eighth over with a tweaked hamstring while Morgan walked off in the 40th over with what he confirmed after the game was a back spasm.That meant Root was opening the innings in ODIs for the first time, but if you hadn’t been told that, or looked it up, you would have never known it. Root made gleeful use of the gaps in the field during the Powerplay, and on the West Indies bowlers’ waywardness, matching Jonny Bairstow shot for shot in an opening stand that wiped out all hope for the visitors. He was particularly good square of the pitch, in front and behind. When West Indies tried the short-ball strategy, he swivelled back and found runs on the leg side. On the off side, his driving through cover was equally sublime.Root started briskly, and stayed brisk. Bairstow, who might consider an innings of less than a run a ball slow, was also chugging along until he upper cut Shannon Gabriel straight to third man to end a stand of 95. Chris Woakes earned a somewhat surprising promotion to No. 3 – again forced by injuries and by England’s desire to let Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler stick to their usual middle-order positions. Woakes showed the faith wasn’t misplaced, constructing 40 like a top-order batsman, before a rush of blood meant he pulled Gabriel to deep square with victory only 14 runs away.Root wasn’t to be denied though, making his second century of the World Cup, emulating Kevin Pietersen as the only other England batsman to score two in an edition. Root’s third century across World Cups topped the list for England batsmen. It capped a day on which he also took two wickets.Root’s strikes were important, but it was England’s fast bowlers who set the match up. Jofra Archer and Mark Wood were quick and hostile, and Woakes’ lines were even tighter. In the first 15 overs, England’s bowlers bowled only balls that weren’t length or back of a length. Of those three, one was a yorker that left Evin Lewis splayed with his stumps disturbed.The Hampshire Bowl is among England’s bigger grounds, which meant merely standing and biffing was never going to be enough. That is where West Indies erred. Their T20-style approach has yielded dividends on flatter tracks and smaller grounds. With some juice in the pitch early and the square boundaries being much longer, that approach backfired.West Indies needed to work the field and get singles and doubles, but they couldn’t do that, and, as a result, despite finding the boundary semi-regularly, the run rate never galloped. Chris Gayle began in usual fashion – sedate at the start and then muscling the ball away powerfully – but both he and Andre Russell were caught at deep square leg trying to pull short balls. Coincidentally, both batsmen – the two most dangerous hitters in the West Indies line-up – had been dropped in that area, but neither could go on to make a big one. Their mis-hits would have cleared the fence elsewhere, but here, they resulted in catches.Nicholas Pooran alone was impressive, deftly working the ball into the gaps and picking up runs in the manner that was most efficient on this ground. Shimron Hetmyer allied with Pooran in what looked like a promising stand after the top three had fallen, until he played a loose shot to give Root his first wicket. An seam-up delivery – a knuckle ball almost – accounted for Jason Holder to give Root his second wicket, to joyous celebrations.It wasn’t the only time England, or Root, celebrated on Friday.
Before the January transfer window began, Manchester United urged supporters to keep a lid on their expectations. After Jim Ratcliffe acquired 25% of the club from the Glazers, there may have been hopes that he'd emphatically announce his arrival, but instead United appear hamstrung by Financial Fair Play requirements.
This may be a result of their heavy spending in recent summer transfer windows. In the last two years, United have ranked third in the Premier League for net outlay – £125m in 2023 and £196m the year before – after high-profile deals for the likes of Antony, Casemiro, Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount, Andre Onana and Lisandro Martinez.
All of this means Erik ten Hag doesn't have much to work with this winter, but by adopting a frugal approach now, United will give themselves more breathing room in the summer, and they're already planning one big-money deal.
United laying groundwork for Vermeeren deal
According to Football Insider, Man Utd are planning a "mega-money" move for Arthur Vermeeren of Royal Antwerp in the off-season. Vermeeren is attracting interest from a "host of elite European clubs", but United appear desperate to win the race. They're said to be "all over" the teenage talent, already in regular contact with his entourage over a summer transfer.
Spurs transfer target Arthur Vermeeren in Champions League action for Antwerp.
Antwerp are asking for £25m up front for the midfielder, but they're hoping they can double their potential windfall with a comprehensive package of performance-related add-ons.
Vermeeren can do everything for United
Vermeeren made his full league debut for Antwerp in November 2022, and his manager Mark van Bommel quickly observed that he was a "special" player, starting him in every single top-flight match from that point on as Antwerp won the title.
Despite his youth, he's already established himself as one of the first names on the team sheet this season, with 31 appearances under his belt already. He's made the XI for all 20 of his side's Pro League games, and played every minute of their Champions League group-stage campaign, scoring in a win over Barcelona on the final matchday after five straight defeats.
It was only a matter of time before 2022/23 Belgian Young Footballer of the Year made a full debut for his country, and it came in October at the age of 18 years, eight months and six days. That made one of his nation's 10 youngest debutants this century (and their fourth-youngest midfielder in that period).
A look at the data reveals that Vermeeren already possesses a near-complete midfield skillset. Relative to other players in his position in comparable leagues over the last year, he ranks in the 70th percentile for pass completion (84.3%) and is particularly strong (92nd percentile) for long passes (78.3%).
But he doesn't just play safe balls in his own territory – he looks to thread passes through gaps in the opposition defensive structure. He sits fifth in his league this season for progressive passes (142) and occupies the top 25 percentiles for passes into the box per 90 minutes (1.13), and live-ball passes leading to a shot attempt (2.28).
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ByLuke Randall Feb 1, 2024
His technical gifts are also clear in his dribbling numbers. He was the third-best in the league for successful take-on percentage (76.2) in his debut season, and he's a standout for progressive carrying distance (97.3 yards per 90, 79th percentile) and carries into the final third (1.62, 77th percentile) as well.
Crucially, there's a bite and a discipline to his game too. Despite his late breakthrough in 2022/23, he finished in the top 10 for tackles won (46), and his average of 1.15 blocked passes per 90 (75th percentile) shows that he can be effective for a high-pressing team. If United can sign Vermeeren, they'll be getting a youngster who's capable of doing it all in the middle of the park.
City's homegrown hero has had the best campaign of his career after being on the fringes of the treble-winning team 12 months ago
English football has never quite seen a team like Manchester City. That will be factually true if Pep Guardiola's side go on to win a record fourth consecutive Premier League title. And despite the magnitude of that achievement, many pundits and observers predicted it at the start of the season and throughout it.
This has been a remarkably competitive title contest, which was a three-horse race until Liverpool dropped out of the running in late April, but there was always the sense that City were going to win it. And that is down to their insatiable winning mentality which Pep Guardiola has fostered, as well as their insanely-talented squad.
City have needed that squad this season, too, with key players Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland among those who have missed chunks of the campaign through injury. The race for the club's Player of the Season award, then, promises to be a close run thing.
GOAL has rated and ranked every Man City player's performance from another incredible campaign, as Guardiola's side prepare for yet another title party…
Getty21Sergio Gomez (3/10) ↔️
The Spaniard had a difficult first season with City and was one of few negatives in their treble-winning campaign. He hasn't improved much in his second season, either, and has looked on a lower level to the rest of his team-mates.
An assist for Haaland against Fulham has been his only notable contribution of a campaign in which he has failed to start a single Premier League game and made just a handful of substitutes' appearances. He will be lucky to still be a part of the squad next season.
AdvertisementGetty20Matheus Nunes (4/10) ⬇️
The Portuguese was a bit of a surprise signing for City after an underwhelming season with Wolves, but Guardiola has long been a fan, even if he has since admitted he was exaggerating a bit when he called him "one of the best players in the world".
Nunes has featured very little considering his £53m ($66m) transfer fee, starting just 13 games in all competitions. He has not looked out of place when he has played, but he will need to improve considerably to avoid being seen as another Kalvin Phillips.
Getty Images19Stefan Ortega (5/10) ⬆️
Ortega has remained second-choice behind Ederson, but the Brazilian's injury in March gave him a few moments in the spotlight, which he coped with well. He has often looked to be a better shot-stopper than his team-mate, although his kicking is not as smooth as that of City's No.1.
The German will start the FA Cup final and will then have to decide whether or not to continue as a back-up at City or go elsewhere in search of regular football.
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Getty Images18Rico Lewis (5/10) ⬇️
Despite repeatedly raving about the teenager, Guardiola still seems wary of playing Lewis too often, handing him only eight Premier League starts, fewer than in his breakthrough campaign.
The versatile midfielder has continued to impress when called upon and he has the patience to work his way into the team slowly but surely. Which is just as well, because he might have expected to have gotten more opportunities.
Nesta quarta-feira (10), o São Paulo recebeu o Ceará, em confronto válido pela 35ª rodada do Brasileirão 2020. Após perder muitas chances, o Tricolor saiu atrás no placar, já aos 47 minutos do segundo tempo, em uma falha de Tiago Volpi, porém, quatro minutos depois, em uma cabeçada de Luciano, o time empatou a partida.
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Veja como o São Paulo ficou na tabela depois deste empate com o Ceará!
Mesmo sendo o autor do gol, a atuação de Luciano não foi muito boa. O atacante esteve envolvido em diversas chances de gol durante a partida, mas não conseguiu convertê-las. Além dos erros do atacante, o goleiro do Vozão, o Richard, estava em uma noite inspirada.
O torcedor que assistiu o jogo ficou frustrado. O São Paulo jogou em cima do Ceará, jogou no campo de ataque, tendo 60% da posse de bola, porém não conseguiu converter as 15 finalizações, sendo 8 no gol, que fez antes de tomar um gol do Ceará.
A falta de eficiência do ataque fica ainda mais gritante ao analisar o recorte do primeiro tempo, onde o São Paulo foi ainda mais dominante. Foram 12 finalizações, sendo 6 no gol, só nos primeiros 45 minutos, contra apenas 3 do Ceará, que chutou apenas uma vez no gol. No placar porém, a igualdade, o zero a zero prevaleceu na primeira etapa.
O atacante Luciano reconheceu, após a partida, que o time pecou na conclusão das jogadas, inclusive se colocando como parte do problema, e, mesmo tendo um primeiro tempo melhor, não conseguiu convertê-lo em vantagem no placar:
– Comandamos no primeiro tempo, não fizemos gol, eu perdi umas chances.
O atacante também aproveitou para reafirmar o poder de reação da equipe de ir atrás do empate após tomar um gol ano fim do jogo, ressaltando que os trabalhos continuam:
-A derrota seria bem pior. Agora é trabalhar, pés no chão, ainda temos quatro jogos para ver o que podemos conseguir até o final.
Ainda sobre o futuro próximo da equipe, o atacante foi questionado a respeito da luta pelo título, a qual ele confirmou.
-A gente vai brigar até o final pelo título, a gente sabe que a situação não está fácil, mas a gente não pode perder a fé – finalizou o atacante.
Behardien, Markram and Morris have missed out on selection for the first two ODIs, but could get a look-in towards the end of the five-match series
Liam Brickhill10-Jan-2019
Hashim Amla clobbers one away•AFP/Getty
Batsman Rassie van der Dussen is in line for his ODI debut and seamer Dane Paterson has been recalled to South Africa’s 14-man squad for the first two ODIs against Pakistan to be played later this month. Van der Dussen scored a match-winning fifty on his T20I debut against Zimbabwe last year, but missed out on selection for South Africa’s limited overs trip to Australia in November, while Paterson has not played for the Proteas in this format since his debut series against Bangladesh in 2017.Hashim Amla, who missed the most recent series in Australia while he was recovering from a finger injury, also returns to the squad but JP Duminy and Lungi Ngidi were not considered as their rehabilitation to full fitness continues.”We need to look at all the options available to us as we get closer to selecting our final squad for this year’s World Cup,” national selector Linda Zondi said. “Rassie and Dane are two players who have been knocking strongly on the door in all formats.”After his bright T20I debut, van der Dussen continued to make headlines during the inaugural Mzansi Super League, during which he topped the run charts with 469 runs at a strike rate of 138.75 and played a vital role in Jozi Stars’ title-winning campaign. Paterson has also been there and thereabouts for a while, having played in the T20Is against Zimbabwe and been included as injury cover in the Test squad against Pakistan.The trialing of van der Dussen and Paterson means that Farhaan Behardien, Aiden Markram and Chris Morris miss out on the opening exchanges against Pakistan, but they could well get a look-in towards the end of the five-match series, when the squad will be revised.”Those players who went to Australia and have not been selected for the first two matches – Farhaan Behardien, Aiden Markram and Chris Morris – are by no means out of the picture and they may well get further opportunities in the second half of the series,” Zondi said.”We are very happy with the way in which our Vision 2019 is taking shape. The series against Pakistan could not have come at a better time as they will provide a very stern test for the Proteas under conditions very similar to what we will experience at the World Cup.”South Africa ODI squad: Faf du Plessis (capt), Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Dane Paterson, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Rassie van der Dussen
Nottingham Forest have suffered a setback regarding the fitness of one of their summer signings who has been forced to withdraw from international duty through injury, according to reports.
Nottingham Forest injury news
The Midlands outfit currently have Callum Hudson-Odoi, Gonzalo Montiel and Felipe all out on the sidelines with their own respective problems as it stands, and last weekend, the club were handed a further fresh blow regarding Murillo.
During Sunday’s 3-2 Premier League defeat to West Ham, the centre-back was forced off the pitch after 76 minutes and replaced by Willy Boly after sustaining a hamstring problem, and with Steve Cooper since confirming that he’ll be sent for a scan, the manager faces an anxious wait to discover the results.
At the London Stadium, Anthony Elanga was one of the afternoon’s goalscorers, and despite him completing the full entirety of the encounter, the following update would suggest that he picked up a mysterious injury whilst out on the grass in the capital.
The Reds’ left-winger put pen to paper over the summer from Manchester United and he’s already made 13 appearances to date so he’s clearly made a positive impression on the boss by being featured so many times (Transfermarkt – Elanga statistics), though there’s a chance that the 21-year-old could now be facing a period out.
Anthony Elanga withdraws from Sweden squad
According to Sweden manager Janne Andersson (via Fotbollskanalen and Sport Witness), Elanga has pulled out of representing his nation over the next fortnight due to sustaining an unknown injury vs David Moyes' side.
He said: "Something happened during the match (against West Ham) that caused him to suffer an injury. The club has to communicate what the status is, but it was not good enough for him to contribute during this international break.”
Nottingham Forest forward Anthony Elanga.
Anthony Elanga's instant impact at Forest
Following his arrival at Nottingham Forest, Elanga has been hailed a “quality” signing for Evangelos Marinakis by journalist Josh Bunting, so should he indeed be set for a spell in the treatment room, it would be a huge blow for Cooper. The Hyllie native already has five contributions (three assists and two goals) to his name in 13 outings for the club, highlighting not only how prolific he can be but also the instant positive impact he’s made to the action in the final third.
Sponsored by Nike, the £25k-per-week earner (Nottingham Forest salaries), has also recorded 17 shots over the course of the current campaign which is the second-highest behind Morgan Gibbs-White (FBRef – Nottingham Forest statistics), showing his desire to hit the back of the net even if the end product isn't always there.
Finally, Elanga is a versatile operator having been deployed in five various positions over the pitch since the start of his career, including three roles across the frontline and even at left-back and right-back so that he can burst down the flank using his pace, so for everything that he brings to the side, the sooner he returns, the better.
Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a takeover by Sheikh Jassim, and a reliable journalist has now shared what he’s heard on a deal possibly taking place in the Premier League.
Will ENIC sell Spurs?
Back in 2001, ENIC Group bought a stake in the club from Alan Sugar and have been at the helm alongside Daniel Levy ever since, but with supporters having previously protested for both parties to walk away, the future of the hierarchy has often been uncertain.
The Lilywhites chairman has, in the past, admitted that whilst he’s not actively looking to do business, that he would be willing to sell a stake in the club if the right offer was to come along, therefore alerting potential suitors that there could be an opportunity up for grabs.
According to The Mirror, Jassim could turn his attention to Ange Postecoglou’s side having pulled out of the race to make an investment in Manchester United, but despite recent rumours, the following news would appear to shut down any claims that the businessman has his eye on tabling a proposal to the outfit in N17.
What has Ben Jacobs said about Jassim taking over Tottenham?
Speaking to GiveMeSport, CBS reporter Ben Jacobs shared a takeover update on Tottenham and commented on the club’s links to Jassim:
"There's been links with Spurs and Inter. And again, I'm told that at this stage, there's been no discussions for either of those clubs either. So there's no guarantee that Sheikh Jassim has a burning hole in his pocket to buy a football club.
"Sources indicate that this was about Manchester United, rather than finding a club, and if Qatar therefore are to invest in another big club, through whatever means, I'm not convinced that it will be specifically Nine Two Foundation and Sheikh Jassim."
Tottenham Hotspur fans protest outside their stadium.
Whilst Tottenham supporters previously wanted to see the back of ENIC and Levy, Postecoglou has certainly improved the club’s form on the pitch since taking to the dugout, which has most definitely eased the pressure of the board who had come under criticism for poor performances in the past.
In the league alone, Spurs have won six and drawn two of their opening eight fixtures and are one of only two teams, alongside North London rivals Arsenal, to remain unbeaten in the division, and here is how their first group of matches have played out so far:
Manchester United (2-0)
Brentford (2-2)
Bournemouth (2-0)
Arsenal (2-2)
Burnley (5-2)
Sheffield United (2-1)
Liverpool (2-1)
Luton Town (1-0)
Due to the remarkable start to the season, Jassim or any potential investor taking to the helm isn’t a necessity, but the increased funds that would be available could certainly help the club to be more competitive in the market when it comes to the boss securing his first choice transfer targets over his rivals in the top-flight. So, whilst there isn't any activity now, this could be one to watch in the near future.