Exclusive: “Among The Best…” – Journalist On Liverpool Linked ‘Rough Diamond’ Ismaila Sarr

With Liverpool continuing to assess their right-sided attacking transfer options, one name that has emerged as an intriguing potential target is Crystal Palace forward Ismaïla Sarr.

The Senegal international has enjoyed an impressive spell at Selhurst Park, rediscovering the form and consistency that made him one of the most exciting young attackers in Ligue 1 and later earned him a move to the Premier League with Watford, where the 28-year-old has subsequently punished us on numerous occasions over the years.

To get a better understanding of Sarr’s game, his development and what he could potentially offer at the highest level, we’re joined by Hugo Jaskowiak, a French football journalist who has followed Sarr’s career closely.

Dan spoke with Jaskowiak to discuss Sarr’s strengths and weaknesses, his evolution as a player, his time in France and England, and ultimately whether he has the qualities to make the step up to a club competing at the very top of the Premier League…

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“Ismaïla Sarr only spent one season with Metz’s first team, in 2016 2017, but that was enough for him to show his enormous potential. He arrived from Génération Foot at just 18 years old and was discovering both France and European football. Philippe Hinschberger quickly brought him into the first-team squad. He made 33 appearances in all competitions, scored five goals and helped the club stay in Ligue 1.”

“He was an extremely quick and explosive winger who was very dangerous whenever he had space. At Metz, he was still quite inconsistent and needed to improve his decision-making and finishing, but his potential was obvious. Hinschberger even described him as a “rough diamond”. He could be quiet for part of a match and then suddenly make the difference with his acceleration, dribbling or a spectacular strike.”

“He was appreciated by the supporters, particularly during the second half of the season when he started becoming more decisive. His goal in the derby victory over Nancy at the Stade Saint-Symphorien naturally strengthened his connection with the fans. I was actually at the stadium for that match, and I can still remember the move that led to his goal: he beat several players with a brilliant series of dribbles before scoring. It remains one of the moments that best sums up the excitement he brought to Metz. However, his time at the club was too short for him to become a genuine idol. He is mainly remembered as an exciting young talent who was revealed by Metz before joining Rennes.”

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“Off the pitch, he was described as extremely shy, quiet, humble and respectful. Adapting was not easy for him, as he had left his family and his country at a very young age. He kept a low profile and never caused any problems within the squad. There was almost a contrast between his very reserved personality and his explosive playing style.”

“In terms of pure talent, I definitely think he is among the best players Metz have developed in recent years. However, if we judge him solely on what he achieved in a Metz shirt, his spell was too short to rank him among the club’s true legends. I would probably place him among the five to ten most talented players to have represented Metz in recent times, but not among the five most important players in the club’s recent history.”

Redmen Reacts

Although clearly not of the age to be considered a long term solution to the problem, Sarr’s plus and play Premier League readiness and ability to play through the middle certainly make him a viable candidate to solve a now issue whilst also giving Liverpool breathing room to get their house in order and sign the one, whether that be next summer or the summer after, a new right wing sensation will emerge and the Reds must simply be at the front of the queue.