This season, the Spurs midfield has excelled at taking on defenses, keeping possession of the ball, and obstructing passing routes.
James Maddison has excelled at his new squad, and Ange has brought back Yves Bissouma, who is well enough to play more this season than last.
But Pape Matar Sarr, the less well-known player who rounds out the middle three, has also had a significant influence.
Sarr, who has already played almost as many games as he did the entire previous season, has adjusted well to “Ange-Ball,” contributing significantly on defense and recording a goal and an assist.
Ange discussed the player’s role for the team in his most recent press conference:
“I believe his presence is very beneficial to us, as he can easily play the positions of a fullback, a 6; an 8, a 10, and so on at times.”
Ange is alluding to something that everybody who has attended a Tottenham game this season is aware of:
“[He has this] capacity to rise to the challenge of playing in a midfield position, especially for us, where the role is somewhat multipurpose in terms of what is expected of him. He has the amazing ability to merely run and give energy in a variety of situations.
Sarr has been outstanding at cycling out of the middle to create space and let teammates make runs into dangerous areas of the play, especially with Ange’s use of inverted fullbacks.
Pape has been outstanding on defense as well because of his stature and quickness.
Sarr has only recently become involved with the Spurs. He first joined with the squad in 2021 and spent a year on loan at his former team, the Metz. Although he returned to the team in 2022, Antonio Conte never gave him many chances.
His agility and adaptability have undoubtedly been useful in a system such as Ange’s, which demands offensive mentality and positional mobility. This season, Pape will undoubtedly be important on both ends of the field.
Monday’s match between Spurs and Chelsea will make the Senegalese midfielder’s contributions even more crucial.
