Postecoglou Pressured to Drop £39.6M Pair Branded ‘Liabilities’ Without Delay
Tottenham Hotspur midfielders Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma have come under heavy scrutiny following their performances in the Premier League this season. According to former Chelsea and Scotland midfielder Craig Burley, the pair have become “liabilities” for Spurs, with their struggles epitomized during the 2-1 loss to Arsenal on Wednesday.
A Disappointing Derby Display
Spurs initially took the lead at the Emirates Stadium in the 25th minute through Son Heung-min, who calmly slotted home to give the visitors hope of a much-needed victory. However, their advantage was short-lived. Just 19 minutes later, Arsenal overturned the deficit with two quick goals.
The equalizer came in unfortunate fashion as Dominic Solanke inadvertently deflected the ball into his own net following a chaotic scramble in the box. Arsenal then capitalized on a costly error from Bissouma, whose misplaced pass was intercepted by Thomas Partey. The Ghanaian swiftly initiated a counter-attack, setting up Leandro Trossard, who finished clinically to put the Gunners ahead just before halftime.
Bissouma’s lapse in concentration highlighted a broader issue in Tottenham’s midfield. Alongside Sarr, he struggled to contain Arsenal’s aggressive pressing and incisive play. Both players were substituted at halftime as manager Ange Postecoglou introduced James Maddison and Brennan Johnson in a bid to add creativity and energy to his faltering side.
Subpar Performances Becoming the Norm
Bissouma and Sarr’s struggles are not isolated to the Arsenal game. Their inconsistent displays have been a recurring problem for Tottenham, who find themselves languishing in 14th place in the Premier League. Despite costing a combined £39.6 million, the duo has failed to provide the stability and dynamism required in midfield, contributing to Spurs’ poor run of form, which includes just two wins in their last 11 league matches.
Craig Burley did not hold back in his criticism of the pair. Speaking on ESPN, he remarked:
> “He [Postecoglou] takes off Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma, who have fast become liabilities for this manager and this club. Bissouma, with his performances and discipline, has been a major issue. Sarr, on the other hand, seems equally unreliable, often picking up unnecessary bookings, like kicking the ball away or diving into rash challenges.”
The Road Ahead for Spurs
With their season hanging in the balance, Tottenham face a crucial trip to Goodison Park on Sunday to take on a struggling Everton side. A loss could see the Toffees close the gap to just four points, leaving Spurs dangerously close to the relegation zone. Furthermore, the prospect of Champions League football next season is quickly slipping away, as they currently sit 14 points adrift of the top four.
After the Everton clash, Tottenham must shift their focus to the Europa League, where they face a challenging away fixture against Hoffenheim on Thursday. With both domestic and European campaigns faltering, Postecoglou has a monumental task ahead of him to rejuvenate his side and salvage their season.
A Manager Under Pressure
Postecoglou, who started the season with high expectations, now faces mounting pressure to address his team’s lack of consistency. Reviving the form of key players like Bissouma and Sarr will be critical if Spurs are to climb the table and avoid further embarrassment. The manager’s decisions in the coming weeks could define not only Tottenham’s season but also his tenure at the club.
As Spurs prepare for a decisive stretch of fixtures, the spotlight will remain firmly on their underperforming stars and their ability to step up when it matters most.
