Thomas Frank has revealed why Pape Matar Sarr has not started Tottenham games in recent weeks despite a strong start to the season.
Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank had stated a few weeks ago that the club were making progress according to his trusted data, although he admitted they could still be better.
Spurs have looked far more disciplined than they were last season, proving much harder to beat due to their defensive structure, but the lack of cutting edge in attack remains a concern.
Many Tottenham fans believe the midfield pairing of Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur is where the problem lies, with several calling for a change to bring more balance and creativity into the side.
Thomas Frank on Pape Matar Sarr’s Tottenham game time
Thomas Frank opted to freshen things up in the clash against AS Monaco, yet he still kept faith in Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur as his midfield pivot, and Tottenham were just as toothless going forward.
Fans have since called for the return of Pape Matar Sarr, who many believe was Tottenham’s second-best performer at the start of the campaign, yet he has barely featured consistently in recent weeks.
Frank has now shared an update regarding Sarr’s limited involvement, speaking to the official Tottenham website about the midfielder’s situation.
The Spurs manager explained that no fitness issues are keeping Sarr out of the side and that competition for places has played a part.
On Pape Matar Sarr, Frank said: “There is nothing wrong with him. He was a very good player for us in the first six games. We rested him as a precaution before but competition, other players have done well. He has impressed me a lot though.”
Sarr’s impact and what the stats show
James Maddison recently claimed that Pape Matar Sarr has the potential to score 15 goals this season and urged the midfielder to push for it.
Sarr has already registered one goal and two assists in seven league appearances, showing how effective he can be in forward areas, something Tottenham have struggled with under Frank.
Interestingly, in the four league matches where Spurs have taken all three points, Sarr has started and completed the full ninety minutes in three of those games.
Tottenham also kept clean sheets in all three of those wins, including the impressive result against Manchester City.
However, when Sarr starts off the bench, Tottenham’s record drops off, with just one win against Leeds United, two draws, and a defeat in their most recent fixture against Aston Villa.
Sarr also started against Bournemouth, where Tottenham suffered their first defeat of the season, but the data still indicates that the team performs better overall when he is in the starting eleven compared to when he is not.
| Sarr Status | Games Played | Wins | Draws | Defeats | Clean Sheets | Goals Scored | Goals Conceded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starts | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 1 |
| Subbed in | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Did not play | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |