Ange Postecoglou heaps praise on Spurs midfielder – ‘I rate him so highly’
Ange Postecoglou sheds light on Pape Matar Sarr and his place in the Tottenham starting line-up, hinting that the young midfielder’s contributions might just have him firmly back in contention.
Pape Matar Sarr’s recent performances
Ange Postecoglou’s side displayed a return to form, with a well-rounded performance that brought energy and fluidity back to the team, providing relief for Spurs fans who had witnessed a brief dip in recent displays.
Central to Tottenham’s resurgence has been the presence of young midfielder Pape Matar Sarr, who has consistently shown his quality and grit in crucial games.
Sarr’s contributions in recent matches have proven invaluable; he scored a stunning goal in the Carabao Cup clash, setting the pace with his impactful play and earning praise for his assist against West Ham, which contributed to another impressive 4-1 victory in Spurs last home game in the Premier League.
Such performances have sparked debate among fans, many wondering if Sarr has solidified a place over James Maddison in Postecoglou’s starting eleven, especially given Maddison’s absence from the starting line-up against Aston Villa.
Postecoglou’s view on Sarr’s starting place
In his post-match comments, Ange Postecoglou offered insights into his selection process and provided a resounding endorsement of Pape Sarr and his place within the Tottenham squad. Speaking to football.london he said:
“They’re never out of my line-up, it’s different challenges along the way. But he probably played as much as anyone last year, I rate him so highly. His capacity again to work for the team but also the quality he has in breaking open oppositions with his running with the ball.
“I knew he’d be important today because they’ve got such a hard-working midfield with Onana, Tielemans, McGinn in there, Rogers. They don’t really play with wide players, they work awfully hard in that midfield area and you’ve got to match that. You’re never going to break them open unless you do that. He just put in another enormous effort. Along with Rodri and Biss when he came on, and Deki of course.”
A new balance in midfield?
The return of Pape Matar Sarr to the starting line-up signifies more than just a tactical switch; it represents a shift in Tottenham’s approach, aiming for a midfield capable of both creativity and defensive resilience.
James Maddison, while instrumental in Spurs’ attacking play, has shown that his strengths are somewhat offset when the team requires an edge in physical battles, as was evident in today’s fixture.
Maddison, however, remains a potent asset – his impactful substitute appearance and perfectly struck free-kick demonstrated his value, reminding fans and coaches alike of his game-changing potential.
The competition between Sarr and Maddison may offer Tottenham an unexpected advantage as the season progresses, giving Postecoglou flexibility in shaping his midfield around the demands of each match.
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