Pape Matar Sarr #17

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A champion of Africa at 19, Sarr now plays against some of the best midfielders in the world on a weekly basis. The box-to-box midfielder has seen it all in four years at Tottenham, from Europa League glory – providing the cross for Brennan Johnson’s winner in the final – to a historic relegation battle. The 23-year-old is a threat from distance, with his long-range shooting earning him the nickname of “Carlos” before his first move to Europe with Metz. “It’s a nickname my uncle gave me when I was a young boy just starting out. He said I had a strong drive and great shot in me and that it was like Roberto Carlos,” Sarr told the Athletic in 2023.

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