Jamie Redknapp has admitted Tottenham Hotspur’s Pape Matar Sarr has proven him wrong this season.
The Lilywhites go into the international break having suffered a terrible defeat away to Fulham which has halted their Champions League push.
And Pape Matar Sarr made yet another start under Ange Postecoglou in the game at Craven Cottage.
Redknapp hails Pape Matar Sarr
The Senegal midfielder has become a real key figure in the Spurs midfield this season having now racked up 24 appearances in the league.
Having now returned from the Africa Cup of Nations, the 21-year-old did not take long to get the call from Postecoglou to slot back into the starting XI.
Speaking on Sky Sports prior to the game, Redknapp spoke of his surprise in how well the Senegal international has performed under Postecoglou. He said: “He’s been a revelation. And I must admit I didn’t see it [coming]. Last year, there were times under Antonio Conte where he was getting sub-subbed which can always be a bit humiliating.”
“There was a lot of talk in the summer about him having a really good pre-season and I love hearing that about a player.”
“When I looked at that midfield at the start of the year I would have thought once everyone is fit it would be Bissouma, Maddison and Bentancur – because I’m a big fan of Bentancur. But he’s become irreplaceable.”
Pape Matar Sarr vs Fulham
His display in the game against Aston Villa last week summed up the level of performance Spurs fans have come to expect from him this season.
Even Roy Keane was left stunned by his cross for James Maddison’s opener.
However, his showing at Craven Cottage was one to forget.
- 66 minutes played
- 39 touches
- 13x possession lost
- 1 foul
- 1 interception
- 2 tackles
- 2x dribbled past
Statistics via SofaScore.
It is fair to say the Senegal international was not up to his usual standards on Saturday.
As well as tireless work ethic, Sarr has been able to provide Postecoglou with three goals and three assists this season.
The £70k-per-week midfielder has come a long way since his early spell under Antonio Conte and looks to be a real option for the foreseeable future.
But the game against Fulham, as it was for every player, was an evening to forget.
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