Tottenham have been linked with a move to sign Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson in the summer transfer window, and reliable journalist Alasdair Gold has provided an update on the situation.

Reports emerged on Tuesday lunchtime that Tottenham were one of the sides showing an interest in signing Jackson during the summer.

Spurs are likely to be in the market for attack and reinforcements after seemingly solving their defensive and midfield issues.

The report claims that Tottenham are among a number of clubs interested in signing Jackson, with Chelsea valuing him at around £65 million.

The Senegalese international spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich, and Chelsea could look to cash in on him, given the number of players they have in the squad.

Jackson to Tottenham update

According to journalist Gold, Tottenham are not expected to explore a move for Chelsea striker Jackson in the summer transfer window.

That’s not to say Tottenham don’t have an interest in Jackson, but it feels unlikely that he’s going to be a target for them in the current window.

Spurs might be put off by his £65 million price tag, while Chelsea might not be looking to sell to a London rival.

Jackson might not be the man, but Tottenham are likely to enter the market for a striker this summer.

Tottenham need new centre-forward

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Tottenham prioritise the signing of a new striker in the final weeks of the summer transfer window.

Dominic Solanke was brought to the club to be their main centre-forward option, but he has struggled with consistency and injuries since arriving in North London.

Richarlison has been Tottenham’s most consistent option through the centre of attack, but he has also suffered with injury problems and is being linked with a move away from the club.

Tottenham need to bring in that long-term number nine to help guide them in the right direction. Spurs need their new Harry Kane once again.

One of the biggest appeals of Apple TV’s beloved soccer comedy series Ted Lasso is its collection of kooky football personalities. And for audiences watching at home, perhaps some of that subconscious fondness stems from the familiarities between the fictional players and the real ones they are aping.

That is a big part of the show’s success: the fact that it is rooted in the reality of professional football. Drawing from the tales and personas of real players, the show’s creators have developed authentic characters with flaws and motivations that match those of real football stars.

The show is set to return for a fourth season, with Richmond AFC developing a women’s team. Whether this blend of reality and fiction continues is hard to say, but fans can revisit some of the show’s most popular characters and their real-life inspirations ahead of the show’s return.

Roy Kent – Roy Keane

Roy Keane via Reuters: Action Images / Jason Cairnduff

Brett Goldstein portrays the grizzled veteran who retires at the end of season one. Frank and to the point, and very similar in name, many fans have made the link to former Manchester United captain Roy Keane.

The tough midfielder-turned-pundit was highly competitive and assertive on the pitch, clashing with a fair few opponents off the ball over the years. In that sense, Keane and Kent are very similar. Kent later takes on a coaching role at Richmond, staying on at the club after Lasso’s departure in season three. Despite a difficult start to the relationship, Kent does warm up to the titular character eventually.

Zava – Zlatan Ibrahimović

REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo

Another character whose name is a bit of a giveaway. First appearing in season three, Zava briefly becomes Richmond’s new star forward. Maximilian Osinski, who portrays Zava, confirmed the connection to the legendary Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but he also revealed that Zava is a composite of several revered European strikers.

On top of Zlatan, Osinski noted that Eric Cantona and Robert Lewandowski were also inspirations for his character. But overall, Zlatan was the biggest influence on Zava. Osinski revealed that he prepared for the role by watching documentaries based on Ibrahimović’s career, as well as reading his autobiography.

Jamie Tartt – Jack Grealish/DavidBeckham/Cristiano Ronaldo

REUTERS/David Klein

Jamie Tartt, portrayed by Phil Dunster, is another composite character. Joining Richmond on loan from Manchester City in season one, fans began to narrow Tartt down to a few famous players with Manchester connections. Tartt’s fondness for the limelight instantly saw him compared to Manchester United greats David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo, especially with Tartt being described as one of the greatest players of his generation.

When Tartt returns to his parent club, his spiky hairstyle is a clear nod to CR7. But his later adoption of a side-shaved, slick back hair-do, complete with an Alice band, has seen him compared with Manchester City star Jack Grealish.

Dani Rojas – Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez

Apple TV

The joyful, energetic Dani Rojas matched up well with the enthusiasm of Richmond coach Ted Lasso. Hailing from Guadalajara, Mexico, Rojas’ mantra, “Football is life”, has endeared him to the show’s fans. And more than a few fans have pointed out how Rojas’ personality and backstory mirrors former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez.

Also born in Guadalajara, like Rojas, Chicharito earned a dream Premier League move to Manchester United in 2010. His passion and perseverance also earned him cult status with the Old Trafford faithful. In early 2026, Rojas signed his first professional contract with ULS Championship side El Paso Locomotive. Interestingly, Chicharito, has now signed for fellow ULS side Atlético Dallas, meaning that the two could share a pitch at some point during the season.

Ted Lasso – Donnie Campbell/Mike Ditka/Jürgen Klopp

REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

Whilst there are a number of successful football managers lurking in the DNA of Ted Lasso, Jason Sudeikis has name checked a number of key figures and coaches from his life that have influenced his portrayal of the show’s main character.

Lasso’s kind and empathetic coaching philosophy has earned comparisons to Jürgen Klopp, but his adversary Pep Guardiola has also been mentioned as another inspiration. Sudeikis has also drafted in elements of famed basketball coaches John Wooden, Bill Self, and Steve Kerr, as well as the famously outspoken Super Bowl-winning coach Mike Ditka.

Chief among the influences from close to home are his father, Daniel Joseph Sudeikis, who provided the inspiration for Lasso’s trademark mustache. But the most impactful of all was Sudeikis’ high school basketball coach, Donnie Campbell. The American actor mimicked Campbell’s friendly personality, as well as his penchant for catchphrases.

“He was a fella from a small town in Kansas who spoke in those aphorisms, like, ‘Sudeikis, you look more nervous than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs,'” Sudeikis told Today when quizzed about his popular character.

Sepp Blatter has named the person he thinks should replace Gianni Infantino as FIFA president – and his suggestion has actually gone down well with football fans.

Infantino has lost the support of many after attempting to sell off stakes in FIFA’s competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors.

UEFA has called on him to resign from his position, as has the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Andy Burnham.

Controversial former FIFA president Blatter has also urged Infantino to be replaced. Writing on social media shortly after the 2026 World Cup final, the 90-year-old said:

Sepp Blatter Names His Ideal Candidate to Replace Gianni Infantino

REUTERS/Jennifer Gauthier

Blatter thinks the president of the Norwegian Football Federation, Lise Klaveness, should replace Infantino and become the first female FIFA president. He wrote on social media:

Many football fans on Reddit have agreed with Blatter. One said: ‘This is a great take’ while another commented: ‘100% the right choice, FIFA desperately needs someone like her’.

A third wrote: ‘Damn Sepp I didn’t expect that from you. You are right’, while a fourth stated: ‘Fantastic nomination. And very surprising!’

English journalist Henry Winter also thinks Klaveness would thrive as FIFA president. He wrote during the World Cup: “The world of football would be a better place if Fifa was run by Lise Klaveness, Norway FA president, respected former international and an official with a strong moral compass. She regularly calls out Fifa for its excesses (peace prize, private jets etc).”

REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

Klaveness, 45, is a former footballer and lawyer. She played for the likes of Stabæk, IL Sandviken and Asker during her playing career. She also represented her country on 71 occasions.

In 2022, 10 years after hanging up her boots, Klaveness was appointed Norwegian Football Federation president.

She has been outspoken on a number of controversial topics in the world of football. She protested FIFA’s decision to allow Qatar to host the World Cup in 2022, while she also doesn’t believe the 2034 edition should be held in Saudi Arabia.

In April, she called for the abolition of the FIFA Peace Prize, which was awarded to Donald Trump, and said she supports an ethics complaint against Gianni Infantino.

In July, she said Norway would launch a complaint to FIFA after Folarin Balogun’s red card at this summer’s tournament was suspended following an intervention from Trump.

Norway were also one of the few nations that did not write to FIFA expressing their support for Infantino’s re-election.