It might be under bittersweet circumstances, but Tottenham are set to acquire a massive increase in the form of Pape Matar Sarr’s return to Hotspur Way.
Ange Postecoglou and Spurs’ supporters would have felt conflicted when observing Ivory Coast take on Sarr’s Senegal on Monday 29 January, with a place in the final eight of the African Cup of Nations up for grabs.
On the one hand, fans of Tottenham and Sarr would have desired to see the player do nicely with his u . s . a . while on the different hand, his removing would imply a well timed return to Tottenham when the club discover themselves in a busy run of fixtures.
In the end, it was once defeat for Sarr and Senegal as the reigning champions were eliminated via the hosts by a penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 draw, and masses of Spurs supporters possibly felt greater pleasure than they did pain at the outcome.
Postecoglou’s men currently locate themselves in a run of three games in eight days, which will proceed when they host Brentford at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday 31 January. As a result, tired legs and minds will mean the squad need all the help they can get.
While Sarr is not likely to play any section towards the Bees, the timing of his return could see him function on Saturday three February towards Everton, which Postecoglou verified in his pre-match press convention ahead of the midweek showdown with Brentford (Football London, 30 January).
The Australian advised the media, “The state-of-the-art I heard is he have to be again the following day at some stage.
“Disappointed for him because Senegal had ambitions to win the opposition however he did properly for them again, he’s a key member and from our side, it’s accurate to get him back. He must be high-quality for Saturday after arrival.”
Postecoglou’s verdict that Sarr did properly for Senegal is virtually an accurate one.
As per Sofascore, at some stage in their defeat in the Round of 16, the midfielder performed eighty three per cent of his passes and succeeded with 100 per cent of the dribbles which he attempted. In addition, he received eight of his eleven ground duels, made 5 tackles, and two interceptions while he also scored his penalty in the shootout.
He was once influential in the team tiers also. He made his first look at the tournament in Senegal’s 2d match, a 3-1 win over Cameroon (19 January), in which he grabbed an assist as he helped his nation on their way to an necessary three points.
While the 21-year-old will understandably be upset at his early elimination from the African Cup of Nations, he will also be keen to return to North London and continue to show the stage of performance he has been showing so a long way this season.
As per fbref, he ranks in the pinnacle nine per cent of Premier League midfielders during the 2023/24 marketing campaign for the range of pictures he has had on goal (0.85 per 90) and the pinnacle seven per cent for his pass completion fee over a quick distance (94.4 per cent per 90).
In addition, he finds himself once once more in the pinnacle nine per cent of his positional peers in England’s top flight so far this season for the wide variety of includes he has made into the final 0.33 (2.78 per 90) as well as his total carrying distance (279.80 yards per 90).
It has in reality been a step forward yr for the youngster, and while his international ride would possibly be over for now, his Tottenham trip is apparently solely simply beginning.
Leave a Reply