Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Pape Matar Sarr has revealed the one player who has really impressed him since joining the club.
It has been a season of progression for Tottenham with the appointment of Ange Postecoglou showing a lot of signs that the club are heading in the right direction.
As with any long-term project, there have also been some teething problems along the way and the game on Sunday at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium showed just that.
However, one player who has impressed on the whole this season has been midfielder Pape Matar Sarr.
The young Senegalese midfielder has had his first real taste at consistent first team football in north London after being snubbed by Antonio Conte.
But the 21-year-old has admitted there is one player who he really feels drives this team on more than any other.
And he has been singing his praises ahead of tonight’s trip across London where they will face Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea.
Pape Matar Sarr admits he’s been wowed by Tottenham teammate since signing
It has been an impressive season for Sarr who has been thrown into the starting XI during the campaign by the Australian manager.
At just 21-years-old, the Senegal international already looks like a quality option for the Lilywhites for years to come.
But the 58-year-old is currently experiencing some issues with his midfield as he struggles to nail down his best three at the moment.
Sarr did not start the North London Derby, but he was brought on at half time which could be an indication he may return to the starting XI tonight against the Blues.
There is one player who has remained a mainstay in Postecoglou’s XI this season and Sarr has revealed just how impressed he has been with him.
Cristian Romero put on a dazzling display on Sunday despite losing out in the derby and Sarr has waxed lyrical about the Argentine.
The 26-year-old was made vice-captain by Postecoglou in the summer and Sarr has now told Sky Sports just how important he thinks the World Cup winner is to the club.
“Romero is a really hard worker. I often say he is a warrior. He’s a winner and he absolutely hates to lose,” Sarr said.
“In terms of his mentality, out on the training pitch and in matches, it is always the same. That’s just how he is and he is certainly one of the leaders in the dressing room with the energy, commitment and determination that he brings to the team.
“It is something that helps us get across the line sometimes. When you look at the match against Arsenal, it’s not easy to put in that performance like he did in the second half. But he’s like that.
“He’s a winner and I’m really happy for what he brings to this team.”
Should Cristian Romero have been made club captain over Heung-min Son?
With Hugo Lloris and Harry Kane leaving the club, it left Postecoglou with a big decision to make on who would become the captain.
The Australian went with Heung-min Son, however, Sunday’s derby display shows he may have made a mistake in not going with Romero.
Son has shown some leadership qualities this season and can lead by example.
But Romero’s hard-hitting display against the Gunners was the stereotypical captain’s performance from a strong defender.
The Argentine really set the intensity with his play, but his discipline coming into the campaign may have been a concern for Postecoglou in handing over the armband.
Thankfully, the centre-back has been able to turn around his run ins with the officials having only been shown six yellow cards all season.