‘Delivered next to nothing’: Spurs-linked £27m midfielder slated by his nation’s media after latest display

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Reported Tottenham Hotspur target Marcel Sabitzer has had an international break to forget, with a lacklustre performance in Austria’s draw with Norway last night.

Back in March, Germany’s Bild claimed that Jose Mourinho was eager to lure the then £44million-rated RB Leipzig midfielder to Spurs.

Sabitzer stayed put in the end, but in January, he’ll have 18 months left on his contract, so time is ticking for the Bundesliga side to cash in were he to turn down a new deal.

According to Bild‘s latest report, the Austria international – who can play on the wing and centrally – is still on Tottenham’s wish list, and is valued at around €30million (£27million).

Despite his quality, Sabitzer wasn’t at his best in last night’s Nations League clash with Norway, which ended 1-1.

“The Leipzig legionnaire has lost a little of the 2019 OFB flow,” wrote LAOLA1, who rated him 4 out of 5, where 1 is the highest and 5 is the lowest.

“The carefree joy of playing has given way to a bit of tension.

“The Styrian had his strongest phase this time shortly after the restart, when he fired a long-range shot and put it down on Arnautovic in the 48th minute.

“But otherwise? A lot of cramp and backwards with the loss of the ball in minute 33 also a dangerous scene.”

However, Sport ORF gave more of an insight as to why Sabitzer may have been off the boil, though they also provided a scathing criticism.

“Even before the Northern Ireland game, Sabitzer had expressed incomprehension with the playing of international matches in view of the (current) situation.

“His performance was accordingly again. The Leipziger delivered next to nothing.

“A shot at the beginning of the second half gave hope for an improvement. Nothing. Sabitzer continued to act without movement, tempo or mood.”

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Sabitzer is a player of the highest calibre, with an impressive tally of 194 competitive appearances for the club, not to mention his 45-goal and 36-assist return marking him out as one of the most dangerous midfielders playing in Germany.

While he may not have done well for Austria this month, you can kind understand why, given the controversy around playing international games in light of current events, and this shouldn’t detract from his quality – he’d be a superb asset for Spurs.