Pape Matar Sarr has become a mainstay in the Tottenham team under Ange Postecoglou this season
Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt with a number of problems over the course of the season, including their unprecedented injury situation, defensive issues and lack of control in midfield.
Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma have lacked consistency of any sort, while James Maddison continues to be in and out of the team. Lucas Bergvall and Pape Matar Sarr have been the bright spots in the midfield department in an otherwise sorry season.
Pape Matar Sarr has been going under the radar for the North Londoners. The Senegalese international was one of the three midfielders that started in the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth at home on Sunday. He put in a tireless shift, running up and down the pitch throughout the 90 minutes and scored a freakish goal to half the deficit, before Son Heung-min equalised from the penalty spot.
With the strike against Bournemouth, Sarr has taken his tally to six goals for the season. He has also chipped in with two assists in 41 games across all competitions. This shows the impact the 22-year-old has been having in the final third with his late driving runs from midfield.
Football London chief correspondent Alasdair Gold has now conceded that Ange Postecoglou became a fan of Sarr as soon as he walked into Tottenham in the summer of 2023. He suggested that the African midfielder is viewed by the Tottenham boss and his coaching staff as a multifunctional midfielder, someone who can thrive in different positions as per the game’s requirements.
“People forget about Sarr, Sarr’s only 22, he’s got so much more growth to come from his game. He’s an AFCON winner despite being young. Just at Spurs he put in some big displays, some big goals, big moments against big teams,” Alasdair Gold said on his YouTube channel.
“He’s got six goals and two assists this season. He needs to find a bit of consistency with his technique but there is so much there to work with. Coaches must love him.
“Postecoglou really likes him. He raved about him within the first couple of weeks of joining Spurs and I think it’s because he’s a bit of a blank canvas to work with. He’s got a bit of everything, you’ve just got to mould him into whatever you want him to be.”
Sarr appears to be the engine of this Spurs side thanks to his bundles of energy and tenacity. The former FC Metz man has shown growth and maturity in his performance levels, and owing to the injury issues and suspensions, he has enjoyed regular playing time this term.
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The Senegalese midfielder is just 22, so there is still a lot of room for development for him. With more maturity and time, he can become one of the first names on the teamsheet. With Bentancur suspended for the return leg of the Europa League round of 16 against AZ Alkmaar on Thursday night, Big Ange could opt for a midfield trio of Sarr, James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall.
The Thiaroye-born talent’s stamina, work rate and tenacity might come in handy in a very crucial game that could potentially go to extra time.
