Player Watch Player Watch: Pape Sarr

[Col_M]

FANTASTIC ARTICLE, FINALLY SOME GOOD ANALYSIS

Who is Pape Matar Sarr?

Spurs' young African star has made a lot of people sit up and take notice this season, but what kind of player is he, what could he develop into and how good might he become?

www.vavel.com

Interesting fact:

Sarr has become the youngest Tottenham player to appear in all ten opening league fixtures since Dele Alli in 2016/17.

 

[SpursSince1980]

He is absolutely top draw , just needs to cut out the mistakes. A couple of chances were gifted to Palace in the 2nd half where Bissouma got sloppy. Not sure if its just a bit of complacency. Not saying he should be replaced but just that he's more under threat than Sarr at this moment in time. For me Sarr has been less complacent and doesn't stop giving everything even when we're in front.

Biss has set such a ridiculously high standard for himself this season, he was bound to have an off game. Against Palace he looked a little tired and leggy. Wonder if he may have been ill recently?

Sarr will also have below average games this year. But we are strangely blessed with very good cover across midfield.

Interesting common thread between him, Porro, Vic, Udogie, VdV, Kulu, Johnson — they all come across as very coachable players. They learn quickly. Adapt quickly. And do not put ego before humility.

This all goes back to character. Sarr is an example of our modern scouting. Players with immense upside potential, who are hungry, team focused, and good people.

Hand on heart… I have no idea which of these lads, or the likes of Veliz, Veskovic, Ash… will be the best of the lot. But for now we seem to be blessed with an embarrassment of young riches.

 

[npearl4spurs]

FANTASTIC ARTICLE, FINALLY SOME GOOD ANALYSIS

Who is Pape Matar Sarr?

Spurs' young African star has made a lot of people sit up and take notice this season, but what kind of player is he, what could he develop into and how good might he become?

www.vavel.com

This article brings to light something I have been thinking on in the "Bentancur returning" discussion.

Sarr isn't leaving the pitch. He is always going to start if fit IMO. I can't realistcally see anything else at this moment. It is because, based on his history as a 10 in France and the evidence of our matches so far, he is the most likely to fill in for Maddison if he is subbed off. He can play the 8 as he has all season. And as this article points out, he could play the 6 as well (although it appears Ange just puts Hojbjerg in that position).

But with Bentancur returning, the assumption (from me as well) has been that Sarr's position is under jeopardy. I don't know man...it's a wonderful headache to have - how you just break the rules and fit Maddison, Bentancur, Sarr, and Bissouma on the pitch at the same time - but I'm not sure Sarr is going anywhere anytime soon. I think you'd sooner see Bissouma or Bentancur trading places on the bench than Sarr sitting on it at this point. We'll see just how much of the player Bentancur is coming back - or how long it takes him to get back there (could be months to recapture his peak form).

Not sure I can give higher praise than that based on how highly I rate the other two.

 

[SpursSince1980]

This article brings to light something I have been thinking on in the "Bentancur returning" discussion.

Sarr isn't leaving the pitch. He is always going to start if fit IMO. I can't realistcally see anything else at this moment. It is because, based on his history as a 10 in France and the evidence of our matches so far, he is the most likely to fill in for Maddison if he is subbed off. He can play the 8 as he has all season. And as this article points out, he could play the 6 as well (although it appears Ange just puts Hojbjerg in that position).

But with Bentancur returning, the assumption (from me as well) has been that Sarr's position is under jeopardy. I don't know man...it's a wonderful headache to have - how you just break the rules and fit Maddison, Bentancur, Sarr, and Bissouma on the pitch at the same time - but I'm not sure Sarr is going anywhere anytime soon. I think you'd sooner see Bissouma or Bentancur trading places on the bench than Sarr sitting on it at this point. We'll see just how much of the player Bentancur is coming back - or how long it takes him to get back there (could be months to recapture his peak form).

Not sure I can give higher praise than that based on how highly I rate the other two.

Excellent post.

I think Ange has to be fairly pleased that he has midfielders who can play in multiple roles: Sarr (6, 8, 10), Biss (6, 8), Benta (6, 8, 10), PEH (6, 8), Skippy (6), Lo Celso (8, 10).

The odd one out is Skippy. As he is played as an 8 under Ange, but he seems to struggle in that role. His best position is a 6, in my opinion.

But what a lovely "headache" to have as a coach. Especially the likes of a Sarr and Bentancur, who can not only play in all three of those roles, but play WELL.

 

[Johnny J]

So many great things about this little clip.

Sarr making up the ground to win the header.

Vicario's instant reaction.

The look of resignation by Raul after getting beat to the ball.

I'll add VDV's ridiculous acceleration and speed when he turned it on.

 

[spurs9]

Y

You could say that about Udogie and Van de Ven.

We could do with an attacking player that fits that type and we are going to have some serious hitters.

Antonio Nusa is that player IMO.

 

[gavspur]

I think Biss v Palac, was playing within himself for fear of booking. TBF

 

[aussiespursguy]

I would say CB depth, LB depth and LWF starter (unless BJ or Gil really step up) are the main areas to improve. Then cover for Maddison that is better than GLC

We have that in Jamie Donley. Another CB is essential though in January.

 

[BISHSPUR]

CB is what we'll get and the most important position we're ok otherwise imo, don't expect much else

 

[longtimespur]

CB is what we'll get and the most important position we're ok otherwise imo, don't expect much else

I never expect anything then I'm not disappointed.


Oh then I blame Levy

 

[mil1lion]

Excellent post.

I think Ange has to be fairly pleased that he has midfielders who can play in multiple roles: Sarr (6, 8, 10), Biss (6, 8), Benta (6, 8, 10), PEH (6, 8), Skippy (6), Lo Celso (8, 10).

The odd one out is Skippy. As he is played as an 8 under Ange, but he seems to struggle in that role. His best position is a 6, in my opinion.

But what a lovely "headache" to have as a coach. Especially the likes of a Sarr and Bentancur, who can not only play in all three of those roles, but play WELL.

It's very similar to what Barca do in midfield. They can play De Jong in the pivot or further forward as an 8. Sometimes they'll play Gavi out wide rather than his preferred 8, but in the Classico he was the 6 as both Romeu and De Jong were out. Fermin is an 8 but has covered up front.

The way the players move and swap positions in a game with the amount of possession we could see more fluidity as the season progresses. I would not be surprised to see some games where all 4 of Bissouma, Bentancur, Sarr and Maddison start. Especially once they're fully comfortable with the system.

 

[npearl4spurs]

It's very similar to what Barca do in midfield. They can play De Jong in the pivot or further forward as an 8. Sometimes they'll play Gavi out wide rather than his preferred 8, but in the Classico he was the 6 as both Romeu and De Jong were out. Fermin is an 8 but has covered up front.

The way the players move and swap positions in a game with the amount of possession we could see more fluidity as the season progresses. I would not be surprised to see some games where all 4 of Bissouma, Bentancur, Sarr and Maddison start. Especially once they're fully comfortable with the system.

Do you? With Maddison out wide left? Hasn’t that been a big criticism of Southgate he has done that to him with England?

 

[mil1lion]

Do you? With Maddison out wide left? Hasn’t that been a big criticism of Southgate he has done that to him with England?

Not necessarily Madders wide but I could see Ange working them all into a team on occasion. If we don't need so much width maybe going with Madders up with Son or if Son is out playing him as a false 9. The game opens up outside what the formation shows anyway. As long as players are filling space and always moving it can work.

 

[jezz]

FANTASTIC ARTICLE, FINALLY SOME GOOD ANALYSIS

Who is Pape Matar Sarr?

Spurs' young African star has made a lot of people sit up and take notice this season, but what kind of player is he, what could he develop into and how good might he become?

www.vavel.com

but also why he draws comparisons with the box-to-box monsters of yesteryear.
Here we go again

 

[npearl4spurs]

During Ange's presser today...someone has been reading SC

Pape Sarr has said in the past that he's not sure if he'll become an eight, six or a 10, where do you see his future?

"The good thing is that he can run and play all three at once. I think with Pape when you consider his age, it is just his ability to embrace the challenge of playing in a midfield role, particularly for us when it is quite multi-functional in terms of what's needed from him.

He has this great capacity, for him it's a great strength to just run and provide energy in all different areas. I think just having him there helps because sometimes he is a six, sometimes he is an eight, sometimes he's a 10, sometimes he's a full-back and he does all that with ease, which is not easy to do because it does require some real energy and a really strong work ethic.

I think as he gets more experienced he'll refine some areas of his game. Sometimes his decision-making is a little rushed but geez, for where he's at in his career, what's providing for us is enormous at the moment."

 

[tevezito]

Not necessarily Madders wide but I could see Ange working them all into a team on occasion. If we don't need so much width maybe going with Madders up with Son or if Son is out playing him as a false 9. The game opens up outside what the formation shows anyway. As long as players are filling space and always moving it can work.

During Ange's presser today...someone has been reading SC

Pape Sarr has said in the past that he's not sure if he'll become an eight, six or a 10, where do you see his future?

"The good thing is that he can run and play all three at once. I think with Pape when you consider his age, it is just his ability to embrace the challenge of playing in a midfield role, particularly for us when it is quite multi-functional in terms of what's needed from him.

He has this great capacity, for him it's a great strength to just run and provide energy in all different areas. I think just having him there helps because sometimes he is a six, sometimes he is an eight, sometimes he's a 10, sometimes he's a full-back and he does all that with ease, which is not easy to do because it does require some real energy and a really strong work ethic.

So if neither Destiny nor Emerson make it on Monday, Bents into Midfield and Pape at Left back?

 

[npearl4spurs]

So if neither Destiny nor Emerson make it on Monday, Bents into Midfield and Pape at Left back?

I think it would work really well actually. But too early for Lolo to start I would think...but he is way ahead of schedule so who knows?

 

[Freddie]

I find all this talk of whether he's a 6,8 or 10 so archaic. We're using outdated roles to describe modern players in different systems. In a 4-4-2 one CM would hold, one would go forward (obviously very simplified take). Now you quite often have a sitting midfielder who will start the play. He isn't necessarily a DM. You have two guys either side who might be there to press, create, be box-to-box or all or none of these. Plus what's a 10 now? It used to be a second striker. No one plays this now. Then it was the central attacking midfielder. Some teams let one of the inside forwards take the creative onus. If a number ten can refer to Thomas Muller, James Maddison, or Lionel Messi then what the fuck does it even mean?

I think while's he has the legs we let Sarr eat up every blade of grass. As he gets older he'll evolve into something different. So having said all that I guess he's an 8.

 

[mil1lion]

We often see the formation as 4231 but I always see it a a 433. It's clear Bissouma is the most central point of the midfield. Sarr often operates to his right and is deeper than Maddison. It's generally Maddison who presses high up but he does drop deep. There's also a real fluidity to the team in general. I see the midfield kind of how Barca used Busquets at the base, Xavi was generally deeper and Iniesta was the more advanced attacking one. So it's kind of a staggered midfield 3.

 

[theShiznit]

His workrate is pretty immense.
It's gonna take a lot to cover what he does without the ball, especially the covering for Porro.

And he does it all with a smile.

Not sure a more established pro would relish that role with the amount of tireless running involved...