Given that important midfielder Pape Matar Sarr is set to rejoin Tottenham, Senegal’s elimination from the African Cup of Nations is a timely development for the team.
Senegal was defeated by Ivory Coast on penalties in the round of 16. Sarr took his penalty and scored it with such precision, but he was ultimately unsuccessful.
Given the arduous schedule of three games in ten days, Spurs’ return is very important. The club will play Brentford on January 31st, then travel to play Everton on February 3rd, and finally play at home against Brighton on February 10th.
Under new coach Ange Postecoglou, the 21-year-old is currently having a breakout season with the club, appearing in 18 games and starting 16.
This season, he has two goals and two assists in the Premier League, including a goal against Bournemouth in his final game for Spurs before heading to the African Cup of Nations.
Along with Yves Bissouma, Sarr has established himself as a crucial component of Postecoglou’s system, earning a regular berth in the squad ahead of players like Hojbjerg and Skipp.
Just before he travelled for the AFCON, he signed a new, long-term deal as a result of his performances.
Postecoglou will surely benefit greatly from the midfielder’s return. Until Bissouma returns, he will probably start in the midfield pivot alongside Rodrigo Bentancur.
In related news:
Liverpool ready Alonso move; Tottenham join Kimmich race
Liverpool has decided that Xabi Alonso of Bayer Leverkusen is the best candidate to succeed departing manager Jurgen Klopp, and they are prepared to negotiate a transfer with the German team.(Inside Football)
Arsenal has now surpassed Manchester United in their pursuit of Kaoru Mitoma, a winger for Brighton & Hove Albion.(Fichajes)
Chelsea and Fulham may try to arrange a trade in which left-back Anthony Robinson of the Cottagers would join Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in lieu of center-back Trevor Chalobah.(Received Offside)
Liverpool is prepared to approach the German team about finalising a deal, having decided that Xabi Alonso of Bayer Leverkusen is their best option to succeed departing manager Jurgen Klopp.Football Insider
Now, Arsenal is pursuing Brighton & Hove Albion winger Kaoru Mitoma more aggressively than Manchester United.(Fichajes)
In the event that Chelsea and Fulham pursue a trade, left-back Anthony Robinson of the Cottagers might join Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in lieu of center-back Trevor Chalobah.(SeenOffside)
Following the rejection of their loan offer, which included a commitment to purchase the player for £25 million in the summer, Fulham is also anticipated to submit a second bid for Chelsea striker Andrés Broja.(TEAMtalk)
Instead of Broja, Chelsea might try to recruit Jonathan David, a striker for Lille.(Footnote)
Barcelona has their sights set on Manchester City left-back Sergio Gomez as a potential late replacement for the injured Alejandro Balde.(Fichajes)
After falling down Carlo Ancelotti’s hierarchy, Luka Modric of Real Madrid is expected to speak with Saudi Arabian officials in the next few days.(Sergio Santos)
WILL THE JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW DELIVER?
If Tottenham is unable to persuade Chelsea to trade Conor Gallagher, they may launch a surprise offer for the Germany international. Bayern Munich is willing to let go of midfield player Joshua Kimmich this month.(Inside Football)
AC Milan has made contact with Arsenal regarding their center-back, Jawub Kiwior.(Calciomercato)
Winger Rafael Leao, who is considered by Paris Saint-Germain as a possible successor for Kylian Mbappe, may be leaving AC Milan.Newcastle United is likewise considering Leao.(Footnote)
PSG is certain that they are ahead of Barcelona and Real Madrid in the fight to recruit Bruno Guimaraes, the midfield player from Newcastle.(Reflector)
Following the collapse of their attempt to recruit Nordsjaelland’s Ibrahim Osman, West Ham is now looking into a deal to sign Al Ittihad winger Jota.
