Senegal boss Aliou Cisse is confident that Ismaila Sarr will come good at Watford but believes he needs time to adapt. Sarr signed for Watford over the summer from Stade Rennais on a five-year deal which was reported to be worth £30million.
The winger earned his move off the back of hitting 13 goals during the 2018-19 campaign in France but he hasn’t had much of an impact in Hertfordshire.
He was handed his Premier League debut in the 3-1 defeat at home to West Ham on August 24, coming off the bench with 15 minutes left to play.
The 21-year-old has started just once in the league after the opening 12 games, getting the nod in the 2-0 loss to Wolves at Molineux on September 28, and reports claim he is growing frustrated.
His first team chances were likely further impacted by a change in the dugout as Javi Gracia, who signed him, was replaced by Quique Sanchez Flores in September.
It has been a difficult period for the club as a whole with performances well below par in the opening stages of the term.
But Cisse feels his man can be a success in England once he fully adapts to the physicality in the Premier League.
Cisse said: “His situation does not please him, he told me when we spoke. But I think that little by little, he will adapt to this football where there is a lot of impact.”
Sarr will be offered the opportunity to get valuable minutes under his belt during the international break as Senegal take on Congo and Eswatini in Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying on Wednesday and Sunday respectively.
The Lions of Teranga will be hoping to make a positive start to their Qualifying campaign as they attempt to build momentum off the back of finishing runners up at the 2019 edition of the tournament.
COMMENTS