Journo says there has been no issues between Thomas Frank and Pape Matar Sarr at Tottenham Hotspur
Several Tottenham Hotspur players failed to impress against AS Monaco in the Champions League on Wednesday evening. It was thanks to Guglielmo Vicario’s efforts in goal that Spurs managed to draw 0-0 with AS Monaco and escape the Principality with a point.
After being bossed for large parts of the game, Thomas Frank decided to make changes in the second half. Pape Matar Sarr came on as one of the substitutes and helped his team keep the scoreline 0-0, although much of the credit goes to Vicario for the result.
In recent weeks, fans have been wondering why Pape Matar Sarr is not starting games for the Lilywhites after beginning the campaign brightly. In the wake of injuries to creative midfielders James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, Thomas Frank has chosen to either use Sarr or Lucas Bergvall in the No.10 role ahead of the double pivot of Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur. And to major surprise, the Senegalese has performed well as an advanced midfielder.
No fallout between the Tottenham boss and Sarr
After playing 90 minutes in three of the first four Premier League games, Sarr has since had to settle for a place on the bench. Frank has heavily used Bergvall as a creative midfielder, and the Swede has performed well. However, despite Bergvall’s poor performance in the last couple of games, the Tottenham boss has persisted with the teenager. This has left many fans wondering if there has been an issue between Frank and Sarr.
As per TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey, there has been no fallout between Frank and Sarr. The African midfielder has just been a victim of the Spurs boss searching his best starting XI at the moment.
“Tottenham insist there are no issues with Sarr, he is part of the squad – a big part. Frank is still assessing his options and how best to use them,” Graeme Bailey exclusively told TBR Football.
“We know (Joao) Palhinha and (Rodrigo) Bentancur are huge figures for him, but Frank has made it clear to the squad that they are exactly that – a squad – and Sarr is a clear part of that.”
Sarr will have a lot of games to play
It would not be wrong to suggest that Sarr is starting to add layers to his game under Frank’s guidance. He is not a creative player but someone who relies on energy, tenacity and pressing to make a difference in midfield, which is why the Senegalese is admired by the Tottenham boss.
Labelled as a “massive hit” signing by pundit Jamie O’Hara, the 23-year-old will certainly get chances to play as the season progresses. Sarr is also tied to Tottenham until July 2030, so the combative midfielder will have plenty of time to showcase his talent in Frank’s side and hopefully fulfil his potential in N17.
Unfortunately, Frank and Co. are set to lose Sarr for several games in mid-December when he jets off to the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal.