Tottenham Hotspur star Pape Matar Sarr puts an end to injury rumours with a goal scoring performance away to Everton
Thomas Frank’s early months in charge of Tottenham Hotspur have been anything but smooth sailing. The Danish manager has shown tactical bravery but also made several calls that have left supporters questioning his approach. While the narrow loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup hinted at promise, recent league defeats, most notably at home to Aston Villa, have revived doubts about whether Spurs possess a true attacking identity.
Adding fuel to the frustration is Frank’s insistence on using Rodrigo Bentancur and João Palhinha together in a double-pivot midfield. Many fans believe that pairing sacrifices attacking fluidity for defensive control. One notable casualty of this approach has been Pape Matar Sarr, who, despite his early-season brilliance, has seen his role reduced to that of a spectator.
Injury Speculation a Plausible Explanation?
Sarr, who started the season as one of Tottenham’s standout performers, was left on the bench for the club’s Champions League draw against AS Monaco and hasn’t featured regularly since the Bodø/Glimt fixture last month. His dynamic box-to-box energy had been a defining feature of Tottenham’s early campaign, making his absence all the more puzzling.
According to Tottenham insider John Wenham via Tottenham Hotspur News, there may be a simple reason behind the midfielder’s omission. Speaking to Tottenham News, Wenham suggested that the decision is likely rooted in fitness concerns:
“It must be some sort of underlying injury issue, or the fitness people are saying there’s a risk of picking up an injury, so we’re having to use him sparingly. There’s no other explanation because he started the first couple of games of the season and was flying. He’s been brilliant for both Spurs and Senegal, scored goals, worked hard, and shown maturity. There’s nothing personality-related here; it must be injury-related.”
Everton Cameo Offers Hope for Tottenham’s Midfield
If fans were looking for reassurance, they found it during Tottenham’s recent clash with Everton. Coming on in the 77th minute for Mohammed Kudus, Sarr immediately made an impression, capping off his cameo with a well-taken goal that reminded everyone of his energy and attacking instincts.
That brief, but influential appearance suggests that any lingering injury concerns may finally be behind him. With Tottenham striving to climb the Premier League table and rediscover rhythm under Frank, Sarr’s return to full fitness could prove pivotal in restoring balance to the side’s midfield.
For all of Frank’s tactical experimentation, benching Pape Matar Sarr for extended stretches never seemed sustainable. The young Senegalese international embodies the drive and athleticism that Tottenham’s midfield often lacks when over-cautious selections dominate. His return, and his goal against Everton, might serve as a timely reminder to Frank that pragmatism can coexist with flair.
If Sarr stays fit, Tottenham’s midfield could once again become the energetic engine that powered their bright start to the season — and perhaps turn fan frustration into renewed belief.
