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The influential role of Pape Sarr at Spurs

By Jacob Margolis

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 23: Pape Matar Sarr of Tottenham Hotspur battles for possession with Andreas Pereira of Fulham during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 23, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 23: Pape Matar Sarr of Tottenham Hotspur battles for possession with Andreas Pereira of Fulham during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 23, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images) /
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Spurs’ midfield has been incredible at holding possession, blocking off passing lanes, and taking on defenses this season. James Maddison has been phenomenal at his new team and Yves Bissouma, fit enough to play more this season than the last, has been revived under Ange.

However, the less talked about player that completes the middle three, Pape Matar Sarr, has also had an immense impact.

Already playing nearly as many games as he had all of last season, Sarr has adapted well to “Ange-Ball” with a goal and assist to his name and countless contributions defensively.

In his most recent press conference, Ange spoke about the player’s role for the team:

“I think having him there helps us a lot because obviously sometimes he’s a 6… an 8… a 10… a fullback, and he does all that with ease.”

Anyone who’s watched a Tottenham game this season knows exactly what Ange is referring to:

“[He has this] ability to embrace the challenge of playing in a midfield role particularly for us where it’s kind of multifunctional in terms of what’s needed from him… he has this great capacity to just run and provide energy in many different areas.”

Especially with Ange’s use of inverted fullbacks, Sarr has been phenomenal cycling out of the midfield to create space and allow teammates to make runs into dangerous areas of the pitch.

On defense too, with his size and speed, Pape has been brilliant.

Sarr has only broken onto the scene for Spurs in recent times. He signed with the team back in 2021 before going out on loan to his previous club, Metz, for a one-year spell. He rejoined the squad in 2022, but never got many opportunities under Antonio Conte.

His quickness of play and versatility have surely been helpful within a system like Ange’s which requires positional fluidity and an attacking mindset. Pape is certainly going to be crucial on both ends of the pitch this season.

Spurs are set to face Chelsea on Monday, and the Senegalese midfielder’s contributions will be needed more than ever.

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