Scout Report: Ismalia Sarr’s pace key with Mane deployed centrally for Senegal

Sadio Mane is the undeniable star of Senegal’s squad for the 2018 World Cup. The Lions of Teranga have quality in Idrissa Gueye, Kalidou Koulibaly but their hopes are pinned on the performances of Mane in attack. Aliou Cisse, who captained Senegal at their only other participation at a World Cup finals, has recognised Mane’s importance and has a new position planned for the 26-year-old this summer. 

Mane is a wide forward by trade and has been a roaring success for Liverpool since joining from fellow Premier League side Southampton in 2016. However, Cisse is determined to make Mane the heartbeat of everything Senegal do going forward and in order to do that he recognises Mane will see more of the ball in the middle. 

With that, Mane is expected to line up in an unfamiliar position behind Diafra Sakho in a No.10 role. It remains to be seen how Mane will adapt in congested areas, as a central berth will inhibit his ability to utilise his searing pace. The Liverpool forward provided seven assists in the Premier League last season, but is he capable of influencing games to the same degree without stretching defences with his speed?

Mane will not play like other recognised No.10s and will hope to run beyond Sakho when given the chance, but Senegal will still need pace from out wide to try and create gaps for Mane to exploit. With that, players like M’Baye Niang and Ismaila Sarr have huge roles to play for their country this summer. 

Niang is already an established name in Europe having experienced football in Italy and England, but Sarr is a lesser-known name in Senegal’s 23-man squad. The 20-year-old joined French side Rennes 12 months ago, incredibly snubbing interest from Barcelona in the process. 

Sarr is likened to former Rennes star Ousmane Dembele, who is now at Barcelona, due to his tendency to dribble at pace and Senegal will hope the youngster can fulfil the role vacated by Mane on the flanks. 

The Rennes No.7 played a direct hand in eight goals in 24 league appearances during his first season at the French side, but it was his ability to beat a man in one-on-one situations that really attracted plenty of admirers. 

In fact, of players aged 21 and under in Ligue 1 last season, only Allan Saint-Maximin (4.3), Kylian Mbappe (3.4) and Yves Bissouma (3.2) averaged more dribbles per 90 than Sarr (3.1). If Cisse’s gamble of moving Mane centrally is to pay off for Senegal this summer, then the Lions of Teranga will need the likes of Sarr to flourish in wide areas previously occupied by their star man.