Good evening, Tottenham fans. Here are your evening headlines for Tuesday, September 22.
Carabao Cup encounter called-off
Tottenham’s Carabao Cup third round tie against Leyton Orient has been cancelled following an outbreak of Covid-19 in the League Two club's first-team squad.
The O’s confirmed on Monday a number of their players had tested positive for Covid-19 but a decision was only taken late this afternoon to call off the fixture.
Whether that means Spurs will be given a bye in the competition remains to be seen, but an EFL-issued statement read as follows:
"Discussions are ongoing between the relevant stakeholders in regards to the implications of the fixture not taking place tonight and a further update will be provided in due course."
The cancellation will come as a bittersweet surprise for Spurs boss Jose Mourinho who would have been presented with the task of playing four times in the space of a week – including three games away from home, and a trip to North Macedonia.
Barnett: Bale didn't receive respect at Real Madrid
Gareth Bale’s agent has admitted Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane and the Welsh international did not see eye to eye at the Bernabeu.
In an interview with talkSPORT, Jonathan Barnett, who represents Bale, referred to a lack of respect from Los Blancos, which culminated in the soured relations that mired Bale’s final years in the Spanish capital.
“There was a build-up of clashing personalities (at Real Madrid), a build-up of not being supported - many different things.
"I think for someone who has done as well and a great as he has for Real Madrid he didn't get the respect he deserved. I think that was a big problem,” Barnett said.
He felt his client had been penalised unfairly by Zidane, who regularly omitted Bale from matchday squads and ostracised him from the main training group on occasion.
Barnett insisted that Bale would now be able to show he still has love for the game, with his move back to North London finally complete.
Tottenham linked with Benfica forward
Portuguese newspaper Record have revealed – via SportWitness – that Spurs are considering a loan move for Swiss international Haris Seferovic.
Tottenham are in the market for a back-up striker to Harry Kane and Seferovic could fit the bill.
Benfica need to get players off their wage bill this summer having failed to qualify for this season’s Champions League. In order to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations, they must trim their squad, particularly of high-earners.
It would not be the first time Spurs have done business with Benfica; the two clubs agreed an 18-month loan deal for rising midfield star Gedson Fernandes at the beginning of the year which expires at the end of this season.
Returning for Seferovic may prove to be a mutually beneficial deal for all parties if a deal can be struck between now and the early October transfer deadline.
