Pape Sarr opens up on his tough journey from Africa to Tottenham Hotspur

Pape Sarr speaks about the path he had to the very top of the game with Tottenham and reveals where his drive comes from to be the best version of himself.

Tottenham man’s increasing importance to the side

At the start of the season, Pape Matar Sarr found himself out of the team, with Ange Postecoglou experimenting with playing both James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski in midfield.

However, the 22-year-old has fought his way back into the side and is now featuring regularly in the starting eleven.

One can understand Postecoglou has taken to the Senegalese star, whose work rate and energy makes him a perfect fit for the Australian coach’s system.

Pape Sarr is determined to make the most of his career

Sarr revealed that unlike in Europe, the pathways to senior football are not clearly defined where he grew up, stating that he had to work extremely hard to get where he is.

Now that he has fulfilled his dream of playing at the highest level, the Tottenham man is determined to do all he can to have a successful career.

Sarr told The Times: “When I was young the only thought I had in my head was to turn pro and now I’ve achieved that I’m happy and try to make the absolute most of it and enjoy it to the max.

“It wasn’t all that easy because in Africa nothing is given to you as a gift. Of course, you have to have talent and ability but you also have to make a success of things by never giving in.”

Pape Sarr on his change of attitude at Tottenham

While Sarr is undoubtedly one of the hardest working players in the Spurs side at the moment, he explained that it was not a characteristic he always had while growing up.

Speaking about his transformation, the midfielder said: “I was a bit laid-back as a kid and I didn’t like running and working hard much at all really. I wasn’t a player who, if I’m being honest, enjoyed putting in a shift. I just used to wait for the ball to come to me so I could do something with it. I liked to have fun.

“As I grew up, I began to understand football wasn’t about that. You see that involves putting in the legwork yourself to get about the place and ask to be given the ball. So that’s what I continue to do nowadays. I think it’s important for me and the team.”

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