Harry Kane has told Saturday’s England press conference – as per Beanyman Sports – that he has been impressed by Tottenham outcast Pape Matar Sarr in Spurs training, with the midfielder potentially facing England on Sunday.
Sarr, 20, joined Tottenham in the summer of 2021 – having broken into Metz’s first team and caught the eye. He cost Spurs a fee in the region of £14.5m. Last season, he returned to Metz on loan – leaving with 59 games under his belt.
But since actually joining Spurs for the first time at the start of the season, Sarr has struggled. He has not yet earned his Spurs debut under Antonio Conte. The competition in the middle of the park is plentiful, standing in the way of Sarr.
Despite his lack of action, Sarr was included in Senegal’s World Cup squad – having got some game time with Spurs’ second string. In the group stage, he was an unused sub against The Netherlands but featured as a sub against Qatar.
He did not play against Ecuador, and Sarr is likely to be on the bench when they take on England. Kane was asked about the potential of coming up against his Tottenham teammate, and he says he has been impressed in training.
“Pape has come into the team, he hasn’t quite found himself playing a lot of games, yet. But, from what I see in training, he’s a really talented player. Quite quiet in terms of personality, he just gets on with training and his job.
“He’s a good guy, so if he plays tomorrow then obviously I know a few things from training. He’s a really talented player with some great ability on the ball. It’s good to see him doing well at the highest level,” Kane said.
Kane impressed by Tottenham outcast Sarr in training
The chances of Sarr starting seem almost nil, and the potential of him coming off the bench also looks slim. But if Senegal look to pack the midfield against England in a way of stifling Gareth Southgate’s men, then Sarr could play.
In terms of his Tottenham spell, it has been disappointing. Come January, it would not be a surprise if he goes on loan in the January window. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Rodrigo Bentancur, Oliver Skipp and Yves Bissouma sit ahead.
A move to and English club, perhaps towards the bottom of the Premier League or in the Championship would help Sarr. It would also allow Spurs to keep a close eye on his development, at first hand.
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