Ian a pre-match press conference against PSG, Frédéric Antonetti implored journalists to leave his jewel Pope Matar Sarr alone.  The technician certainly wants to protect his 18-year-old relay medium from the repercussions of overexposure.

Arrived at FC Metz last summer from Génération Foot (L1 Senegal), Pape Matar Sarr is having a very good first season in Europe. And yet the kid is barely 18 years old. Naturally, then, like all the players who have a series of great performances, he receives praise. And also stirs up lusts. Moreover, lately his name appeared several times in the transfer sections of newspapers which did not fail to also underline his talent.

Manchester United, Monaco, Lyon, Nice and several other clubs would have an eye on the Senegalese nugget. And in Senegal, the medium garnet relay who marked his passages in the youth selections is on everyone’s lips. He is seen as a very great hope of the Lair. Moreover, last March, Pape Matar Sarr scored points in the midfield of the Lions during his first selection in the A team . 

“Leave Pope Matar Sarr alone”

This assiduous presence in the media does not Metzse everyone, however. Or at least, it worries some. Like his coach Frédéric Antonetti. The technician certainly fears the repercussions that overexposure can have. Indeed, it is not uncommon to see a great hope of the sport deviate from its trajectory because of the pressure associated with high expectations. Or that he simply takes the big head thinking he is already at the top. But the same people who have praised too much never hesitate to break too much in the event of a backlash.

Avant la réception du PSG, ce samedi en Ligue 1 (34e j.), Coach Fredo a ainsi pris les devants pour protéger son joueur. «Laissez Pape Matar Sarr tranquille, soutient le technicien. Laissez-le grandir. Il a un gros potentiel pour faire une grande carrière». Mais selon entraîneur; il faut éviter de brûler les étapes. «Il a encore beaucoup de progrès à faire dans tous les domaines. Tout le monde reconnaîtra qu’il a un grand talent. J’essaie de lui amener mon expérience, le corriger et le faire progresser. Il a des progrès à faire, comme tout joueur de 18 ans. C’est un gamin qui a quitté ses parents. Il ne faut pas le perturber» implore l’ancien coach de Bastia.

La surexposition dérange-t-elle les dirigeants messins ?

Cependant, pas si sûr que cette exposition dérange les dirigeants lorrains. Au contraire, ils commencent certainement à se frotter les mains. La valeur marchande du Sénégalais (20 matchs, 3 buts) est, en effet, en train de grimper. En ces temps de crise économique, on verrait mal Metz refuser une belle offre pour Pape Matar Sarr. Ils n’ont pas hésité à le faire pour Ismaila Sarr, après seulement une saison à Metz en 2016-2017.

Last summer, moreover, to clean up their accounts, the Mosellans handed over their top scorer Habib Diallo to their neighbor Strasbourg. Just because the Alsatians were the highest bidder. And even though the center forward did not want to go. But behind, there was already Ibrahima Niane ready to make up for his departure. And as lately, Generation Foot assures them practically every year a player ready to be launched in the deep end in Ligue 1. There is therefore no fire if Sarr leaves.