Antonio Conte makes Pape Matar Sarr claim after Tottenham’s draw, praises Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg
Speaking to SpursTV (h/t Football.London) after Tottenham Hotspur’s draw against Chelsea, Antonio Conte praised Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg for his goal and made a comment on Pape Matar Sarr.
Spurs drew the game 2-2 after trailing twice. Hojbjerg’s 68th-minute strike made it 1-1 on the day. Chelsea scored nine minutes later but a 96th-minute header from Harry Kane meant the spoils were shared.
According to the Italian manager, his midfielders have been instructed to get on the edge of the box for moments like the one the Denmark international had. He then went on to state that Sarr is a young player who can come good in the future if he keeps developing.
“First of all I’m really happy for Pierre because I push a lot my midfielders to arrive at the edge of the box and to shoot. I think Pierre, Rodrigo, Skippy and Bissouma the same. Sarr is a young guy but if he continues to work in this way he is a really good prospect.”
This is Sarr’s first full season at Spurs. He was signed by the Lilywhites last summer but was loaned back to FC Metz for the campaign that followed – however, he could not save them from relegation to Ligue 2.
Now at N17, the Senegal international would understand he is not above the likes of Hojbjerg, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Yves Bissouma in the pecking order. However, he could still have a big role to play this season.
The 19-year-old could be called into action especially during cup games and months when the fixture list is loaded. Giovani Lo Celso is already on his way out to Villarreal on a season-long loan while Tanguy Ndombele is expected to follow suit and leave N17 as well.
More Tottenham News:
- Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg: Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel’s red cards were ‘unnecessary’ in London derby
- Graeme Souness tells Chelsea referee Anthony Taylor made just one wrong decision in draw vs Tottenham
- Why Tottenham’s Cristian Romero won’t face action for hair pull on Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella
Sarr, already a full international for the Lions of Teranga and an AFCON winner, did not feature against AS Roma in Israel but before that, he saw action in pre-season-friendly games last season. Conte clearly has his eye on him and a first-team debut cannot be too far away.
