Author of a double and an assist against Brighton this Sunday, the Senegalese winger from Crystal Palace finally seems to have launched his adventure with the Eagles, even if it will be necessary to confirm with time.
Along with the Englishman Eddie Nketiah (25 years old) and the Japanese Daichi Kamada (28 years old), he was one of Crystal Palace’s flagship offensive recruits during the last summer transfer window. Unlike these two players, he did not quickly get his chance under the orders of his new coach. Very little luck even, since he had to wait up to eight matches, including six in the Premier League, to make his first start, during a home defeat against Liverpool (0-1). Not easy, therefore, to quickly stand out in terms of performance.
When the Eagles continued to perform poorly, Ismaïla Sarr was still there, chomping at the bit on the substitutes’ bench. But it is also because the former Olympique de Marseille winger had not been completely at his advantage during his appearances. Not only at club, where he went no less than 14 games without scoring. nor deliver an assist, he was also little influential in the selection, “only” taking advantage of a penalty to stand out during a 0-1 victory against Burundi, in Lilongwe, Malawi.
Sarr more and more on his plate
Recruited from OM for €15M, the 26-year-old wanted to try to become again who he was at Metz, Rennes and even at Watford, in England. But, with the Eagles, it took him a while to get up to speed. Without its sparks, Palace had to wait until the 8th day of the Premier League to sign its first victory. As if the train was finally moving, “Izo” has not left Oliver Glasner’s starting lineup since this success against Tottenham (0-1). Was the Senegalese then starting to turn the debate on competition? It would seem.
With Kamada and Nketiah struggling, Glasner then entrusts the keys to the right wing to his Senegalese international. On November 23, during a trip to Aston Villa (2-2), the former resident of Génération Foot achieved his first big performance by scoring his first goal and delivering his first assist. If he does not score against Newcastle (1-1), Ipswich (0-1 victory) and Manchester City (2-2), he stands out for his numerous efforts. And then this Sunday, he allowed the Eagles to win on the Brighton pitch (1-3), with a high-quality performance.
“He is more confident than at the start of the season”
And who better than his own coach to acknowledge the XXL match and the progress made by his player? “Ismaila’s strength and his speed, we knew we could see him like that. The first (goal) was a great header from him, so when we throw him into these duelss in races, he is always capable of scoring goals. He is more confident than at the start of the season, he feels better “, Glasner said in a post-match press conference. His speed, his percussion, his sharp calls and even his efforts on the defensive level did the Crystal Palace team a lot of good.
With confidence, Ismaïla Sarr is showing more success and her relationship with Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta has been working perfectly for a few meetings. In Oliver Glasner’s unchanging 3-4-2-1, the 2022 African champion now presents characteristics and an essential profile against his main competitors Kamada and Nketiah. It still remains to be confirmed and shown that he can still tickle the best wingers in the Premier League. Which would do the Eagles even more good, 15e of PL with four points ahead of the first relegation.
wiwsport.com
