Ange on Pape: "He has this great capacity to provide energy in many different areas"

Ange Postecoglou has spoken in glowing terms about Pape Matar Sarr's contribution so far this season.

Nominated alongside Yves Bissouma for the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) Player of the Year award for 2023 on Wednesday, Senegal midfielder Pape, still just 21, has featured in all 11 matches so far this season, starting our last nine in the Premier League after coming off the bench in the opener at Brentford.

His performances have really caught the eye as he glides around the pitch - he's weighed in with his first Spurs goal - the opener in our 2-0 win against United - and an assist for James Maddison's goal at Bournemouth.

He was also key in our 2-1 win at Palace last Friday - his dart to the byline and pass to James Maddison led to our first goal, while his switch of play to Brennan Johnson was key to a second goal that swept from end to end.

Asked if he saw Pape playing in the number six, eight or 10 role going forward at his pre-Chelsea press conference on Thursday, Ange said: "The good thing is that he can run and play all three at once. I'm not going to stop him doing that.

"I think with Pape, when you consider his age, it is just his ability to embrace the challenge of playing in a midfield role, particularly for us, where it is quite multi-functional in terms of what's needed from him.

"He has this great capacity, for him it's a great strength, to just run and provide energy in many different areas.

"I think having him there helps because sometimes he is a six, sometimes he is an eight, sometimes he's an 10, sometimes he's a full-back and he does all that with ease, which is not easy to do because it does require some real energy and a really strong work ethic.

"I think as he gets more experienced, he'll refine the areas of his game. Sometimes his decision-making is a little rushed but, for where he's at in his career, what he's providing for us is enormous at the moment."