With the World Cup now under way following Ecuador's 2-0 win over hosts Qatar, the games will now start to come thick and fast with three on Monday's schedule. Starting with England's opener against Iran ahead of Senegal vs Netherlands, USA and Wales bring the curtain down on the day's play later in the evening.
Tottenham fans watching on will hopefully be able to see five of their players in action, with Harry Kane captaining England and Ben Davies and Joe Rodon set to start in defence for Wales. Eric Dier will be hoping to come on from the bench for the Three Lions, while it is not clear yet if Pape Matar Sarr will get the nod in the heart of Senegal's midfield.
In the case of Spurs' young midfielder, it is a brilliant opportunity to show the club's supporters just what he can bring to the team over the coming years. Signed from Metz in August 2021 by managing director of football Fabio Paratici, the 20-year-old spent the 2021/22 campaign on loan at his former club to help aid his development.
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Returning to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the summer following his year away, Sarr has been a regular in training at Hotspur Way under Antonio Conte but opportunities for him in the first team haven't been there. Despite not playing a single minute for the side since their pre-season games, the talented ace does seem to have made an impression on his boss.
Speaking after Tottenham's late 2-2 draw at Chelsea in August, Conte stated to SPURSPLAY that "Sarr is a young guy but if he continues to work in this way he is a really good prospect," before labelling him and fellow youngster Harvey White as "two really important prospects" the following month. On the bench 11 times in all competitions for the Lilywhites this term, Sarr, who recently played in two Premier League 2 fixtures, is patiently waiting for his opportunity in the first team.
Always going to be incredibly hard for the Senegal international with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur producing some outstanding performances this season, as well as having Oliver Skipp and Yves Bissouma also ahead of him in the pecking order, all Sarr can do is train well and hope a chance comes his way. That is also very much the case for summer arrival Djed Spence as the pair are trying to adapt to Conte's ways, a higher level and a new way of playing in the Premier League.
Sarr's first real opportunity in the Tottenham first team could potentially come at the start of 2023 in the third round of the FA Cup depending on who they are drawn against. January will be a key month for the player, though, as a loan move could be in the offing to help his development as another loan deal didn't come to fruition back in the summer.
Prior to then, the Thiaroye-born player has the chance to make his mark in the Senegal side at the World Cup providing that head coach Aliou Cisse gives him minutes in their Group A games. Coming into the tournament with a lack of match action under his belt due to his current situation in north London, Sarr is competing with experienced Premier League players Idrissa Gana Gueye, Cheikhou Kouyate, Nampalys Mendy and others for a spot in midfield.
If he can indeed nudge ahead of them and play then it will only highlight how highly rated he is by Cisse and his country. However, the experience of going to a major tournament will only benefit him in the long run even if he doesn't take to the field or is given limited minutes to make his case.
Numerous youngsters have made their breakthrough in previous World Cups and this one will certainly be no different. While all Tottenham supporters may be keeping a close eye on Kane and Co over the next month, Sarr could give everyone connected with the club a nice surprise if he is to add to his ten caps for the Lions of Teranga.
Seen as a "really good prospect" for the future, Tottenham can rest safe in the knowledge that he is already their man if he does show the watching world just how talented a player he is.
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