Player Watch Player Watch: Pape Sarr

[jordibwoy]

Where/when have you seen Sarr play in that press resistant 6 role? Personally I haven't seen him do it so I have no idea if he can play that role well. Certainly not as well as I know Bissouma can play it because I've seen him do it a good number of times.

Agreed, I think he has all the ablity/skillset/potential to be very good in the 6, but he hasn't played there yet and his physical attributes suit him much better in the 8 in this system anyway.

 

[Rosco1984]

I’m not ignoring it, I’m overlooking it because Sarr can play both roles well, so if the midfield 3 is Sarr, Bentancur and Maddison then we can use Sarr as the 6 and it would be just as good as putting Bissouma in the same role. Purely opinion though, I’m not saying I know better than anyone else.

I disagree. Sarr is good in the 8 with his energy but his composure and manipulation of the ball aren't good enough to play the role where he would be constantly receiving it in the first press. He is very good when moving into space with the ball im not sure about him receiving it under pressure in front of the back 4. We only have two players who can do that Bentancur and Bissouma and possibly Lo Celso.. but he is probably not disciplined enough. Sarr can only really play the 8 in our system so will likely be the one to miss out on occasions when everyone is fit.

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

I disagree. Sarr is good in the 8 with his energy but his composure and manipulation of the ball aren't good enough to play the role where he would be constantly receiving it in the first press. He is very good when moving into space with the ball im not sure about him receiving it under pressure in front of the back 4. We only have two players who can do that Bentancur and Bissouma and possibly Lo Celso.. but he is probably not disciplined enough. Sarr can only really play the 8 in our system so will likely be the one to miss out on occasions when everyone is fit.

I agree with this - except the last part.

I do expect to see more rotation this spring, if players stay relatively fit. But I won't be surprised to see Sarr with more minutes than Bentancur or Bissouma ROS, once everyone is back.

 

[noggen]

#LevyIn

Almost 72 hours since the transfer window opened and this is the only hashtag I've seen so far about Levy. What's going on, people still hungover?

 

[Nine while nine]

Almost 72 hours since the transfer window opened and this is the only hashtag I've seen so far about Levy. What's going on, people still hungover?

Well, given that we're not even 48 hours into the transfer window, it does appear that at least one of us is still a little worse for wear...

 

[McFlash]

Bentancur passing % (22/23)- 83.9 (880 passes)
Sarr (23/24) - 87.6% (761 passes) Sarr was at 91% last year in limited time.

Long passes
Bentancur (22/23) - 55.7% (70 passes)
Sarr - 71.4% (49 passes)

Shots on Target
Bentancur: 11 in 3008 minutes
Sarr: 11 in 1384 minutes

Take-ons:
Bentancur: 21 successful take-ons in 3008 minutes
Sarr: 15 successful take-ons in 1384 minutes

Carries
Bentancur (3008 minutes): 581, tot distance - 3001, progressive distance 1444
Sarr (1384 minutes): 620, tot distance 3625, prog distance 1443



Sarr is apparently better than you are giving him credit for...

That's the perfect example of how stats don't tell the full picture because nearly all of Bentancur's minutes were under a drab and boring manager, playing drab and boring football.

I don't want to get involved in the "who's better" argument because they're both great players and have different styles.

Just wanted to say that those stats don't really say anything at all.

 

[eddiev14]

Any news on his injury?

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

That's the perfect example of how stats don't tell the full picture because nearly all of Bentancur's minutes were under a drab and boring manager, playing drab and boring football.

I don't want to get involved in the "who's better" argument because they're both great players and have different styles.

Just wanted to say that those stats don't really say anything at all.

I know everyone is aghast that I used stats from two different years, and two different styles - but the point was more to show that Sarr is better at those skills than people give him credit for. His stats were actually slightly better last season (on a per/90 basis), albeit it was 200 minutes, and Bentancur's numbers are slightly worse this year, albeit in 147 minutes. SO I avoided the two years with smaller small sizes.

Sarr is not just a guy who runs around a bit - he is very effective in his role - and he is likely to continue to get better. I think many people discount his actual ability on the ball - presumably because when you watch him he looks like he is all knees and elbows. But he is the guy I want in that box-to-box role.

I have said, repeatedly, that I think Bentancur is the better overall footballer - and he would be in my best XI, albeit as a 6, and not an 8.

And I think Bentancur would do very well as an 8 - just not as well as Sarr.


Maddison
Sarr
Bentancur

Creativity
Industry
Possession

 

[mark87]

Any news on his injury?

I read something on a Spurs tweet earlier on about 2030 so don't think it's good news.

 

[Finchyid]

Will be seen as one of the best midfielders in the world within 5 years. Superb to get him under new deal

Is already in my eyes !!

 

[PCozzie]

I read something on a Spurs tweet earlier on about 2030 so don't think it's good news.

That's just one hour away, it's great news!

 

[Karlinho]

So it turns out the correct business model is to make sure the player is good and then give them a ridiculously long contract.



No one tell Boehly.

Literally spat out my drink!

 

[nipponyid]

Get in there!

 

[allpaths]

add in on top the lad will count as home grown going forward, ridiculously good business by the club. Hope we dont stop looking for these types of deals.

 

[Oscar22]

Disappointed that they didnt do something similar to the Poch arm around the player photo.

Could have had Ange with them in a playful headlock

I was thinking along the lines of those Aussie photos they do when tourists visit the Koalas.

Ange smiling and looking to the camera whilst holding Sarr, who has his legs around Anges waist and his arms around his neck, both grinning into the camera “welcome to Australia” style.

 

[SirHarryHotspur]

I’m slightly disconcerted that there is a slight whiff of sensible decision making at the club recently…

Who gets the credit for these two long deals on Destiny & Pape , is it Munn as Chief Football Officer , change of direction for Spurs ?

 

[Styopa]

Who gets the credit for these two long deals on Destiny & Pape , is it Munn as Chief Football Officer , change of direction for Spurs ?

In fairness, haven’t we always tried to commit our best young players to long-contracts? Remember all the new long contracts during the Pochettino years.

 

[hughy]

In fairness, haven’t we always tried to commit our best young players to long-contracts? Remember all the new long contracts during the Pochettino years.

Looking back on Kane's 6-year deal in 2018, 2024 felt like an absolute lifetime away.

Hopefully by 2030 we'll have finally broken the trophy curse and these players who will be in their absolute prime will want to stick around.

 

[SirHarryHotspur]

In fairness, haven’t we always tried to commit our best young players to long-contracts? Remember all the new long contracts during the Pochettino years.

True , Kane got six years at the age of 24 but I am not sure we have given 21 year olds like Destiny and Pape such long contracts before.

 

[Romulus]

True , Kane got six years at the age of 24 but I am not sure we have given 21 year olds like Destiny and Pape such long contracts before.

Levy understands their potential.