Pape Matar Sarr: Metz's latest Senegalese gem.

Written by William, @WillxFootball, on April 1st 2021.

Important:

-All stats are from fbref and StatsBomb unless otherwise stated.

-All stats are adjusted to p90.

-Percentiles compares him to midfielders in the Top 5 European leagues during the last year.

Introduction

Pape Sarr moved to Metz in September 2020 and this is his first season in professional European football. He has only played 880 minutes in Ligue 1 so far - plating a full 90 minutes. Last season, he was at Metz’ feeder club, Generation Foot in Senegal.

Generation Foot have also sent players like Papiss Cissé, Diafra Sakho, Sadio Mané, Ismaïla Sarr, Habib Diallo and Ibrahima Niane to Metz. His performances earned him his Senegal debut recently. He played in midfield with Idrissa Gueye and Nampalys Mendy in a star-studded Senegal team against Congo Brazzaville.

You’re not getting past him

Where do I start? Pape Sarr’s defensive stats seem too good to be true:

96th percentile in tackles made (3.89)

90th percentile in tackles won (2.15)

99th percentile in dribblers tackled (1.94)

92nd percentile in pressure regains (6.95)

98th percentile in interceptions (2.15)

Do you think his stats are inflated because he plays for Metz? Actually, they're not.

It’s not just the volume that stands out - he’s also very effective. Pape Sarr is in the 99th percentile for the percentage of dribblers tackled and in the 82nd percentile for the successful percentage of pressure regains.

Huge Potential

If you need any video evidence, 3:45 to 4:49 sums him up as a player.

Here, his skillset shines through. He’s physically dominant and very smart. Pape Sarr knows how to maximize his strengths and hide his weaknesses. He rarely tries any fancy or close-control stuff. He simply runs past his opponent. Pape Sarr doesn’t have second thoughts either. His decision making is incredible considering his age.

Metz limits his offensive game

Sarr’s number of touches vs midfielders in Europe’s Top 5 leagues:

Touches in defensive third: 75th percentile

Touches in central third: 70th percentile

Touches in attacking third: 35th percentile

Metz are 17th in Ligue 1 in total touches in the attacking third and dead last in passes completed within 20 yards/18 meters of the opponent's goal. (understat.com)

He’ll clearly be more involved with the ball and show his strengths in possession if he goes to a more attacking team. He’s in the 86th percentile of all midfielders in Europe’s top 5 for open-play shot-creating actions (dribbles, fouls drawn, passes leading to a shot). As mentioned, his carrying is insane. He’s in the 92nd percentile for carries into the final third and 95th percentile for progressive carrying distance.

His passing numbers are hard to judge since he plays for Metz but he was superb at the U17 World Cup with Senegal. His football IQ and understanding of the game makes him a good passer, but it hasn’t really translated into any notable output for Metz. His xA p90 in Ligue is at 0.04 which puts him in the 27th percentile. Progressive passes: 40th percentile (3.58) Passes into final third: 30th percentile (3.27) Without a doubt, we’ll see some better passing, if (when) he goes to a more attacking team.

Weaknesses

Small spaces: Pape Sarr can’t dribble past players in close spaces when he gets trapped. At the youth level, he relied on his strength but that strategy is not always sustainable at the senior level. With that being said, he’s fairly good at staying out of trouble due to his mature decision-making. End product: The passing is hard to judge and he’d rather carry the ball forward but at some point, he needs to make that final pass.

The future

His skill set is perfect for being a defensive midfielder but not as a singular one. He needs a defensively-minded player by his side who will keep the stability. That can allow him to leave his position in possession when he carries the ball forward. He also needs freedom out of possession, so he can take the opponents by surprise with his elite pressing.

Written by William, @WillxFootball.