Conte hints could hand first Tottenham start to ‘one of the best young players in the world’ v Palace

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte has hinted that he could potentially give Pape Matar Sarr his first start for Spurs tonight.

The North Londoners head to Crystal Palace in pursuit of their first win since the World Cup.

Tottenham have picked up just one point since the Premier League season resumed after the tournament in Qatar.

Spurs played out a 2-2 draw with Brentford on Boxing Day before losing 2-0 to Aston Villa on New Year’s Day.

In addition, Tottenham will be without Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma for the trip to Selhurst Park.

The Uruguay international is still recovering from an injury, while the Mali star is suspended.

This means Conte will have to consider either Sarr or Oliver Skipp alongside Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in midfield.

During Tuesday’s press conference, football.london’s Alasdair Gold asked Conte about the prospect of one of the two young midfielders starting the game.

“This is another opportunity to see a young player, Skipp or Sarr tomorrow,” football.london quotes him as saying. “This is normal. We knew this.

“In midfield, we have five players: Pierre, Rodrigo, Bissouma, Skippy, and then Sarr.

“If one is injured and one is banned, then it’s a good opportunity to see another young player and to make an evaluation.

“For me it’s important to understand the improvement they’re going to do. This is the road we’re following. This is normal.

“I repeat, tomorrow we’ll see another young player and we’ll make an evaluation then.

“Skipp in my opinion last season played two or three months very well before he had an injury.

“But we’re talking about a player who is 21, 22. Like Gil, like Sarr, like Sessegnon, Spence and all the U21s.”

Sarr a top talent who’ll surely become a Tottenham regular in the coming years – TBR View

The likelihood is that Conte will start Skipp ahead of Sarr against Palace, as he’s a lot more experienced.

With just one point from the last six, the alarm bells are ringing at N17 and it’s not the best time to give a talented youngster a runout.

However, surely it won’t be long before Sarr will make his first start for Spurs.

He has already made his debut, coming off the bench against Villa.

Sarr is, in the words of The Athletic’s Jack Pitt-Brooke, ‘one of the best young players in the world in his position’.

He has already won 12 caps for Senegal and played for his nation at the World Cup.