Pundit thinks 21-year-old midfielder can become makeshift centre-back for Spurs

Danny Murphy has suggested that Ange Postecoglou could perhaps play Pape Matar Sarr at centre-back alongside Eric Dier.

Postecoglou has to completely revamp his backline for his side’s trip to Wolves on Saturday, with Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie suspended for the clash after receiving red cards against Chelsea.

But the bigger miss will arguably be Micky van de Ven, who is expected to be out of action until the end of the year after picking up a hamstring injury (The Telegraph).

It remains to be seen who starts alongside Dier at centre-back at Molineux Stadium and how Tottneham’s high defensive line would be able to cope without Van de Ven’s recovery pace when balls are played over the top.

Could Pape Matar Sarr play at centre-back?

Emerson Royal played as a makeshift centre-back for parts of the game against Chelsea but Murphy has now suggested that putting Sarr there might be more prudent, given the pace that the Senegalese midfielder possesses. 

When Rio Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel Five: “It might be a younger player that might play with Eric Dier”, Murphy responded: “I’d be tempted to put Sarr back there, pace.”

Ferdinand then said: “It will be an interesting time now for Tottenham, they’ll either consolidate until players are back or they’ll crumble.”

Spurs Web Opinion

If Ben Davies is fully fit, I have no doubt that the Welshman will start at left centre-back alongside Dier. The 29-year-old did well in that position during pre-season but I do fear that a Dier-Davies pairing will be susceptible to balls in behind the defence, given their lack of pace.