AFCON 2023: Cheikh Tidiane Sabaly, an unexpected option for Aliou Cissé?

At last, we are seeing glimpses of the talent of Cheikh Tidiane Sabaly, who promised so much in his early days at Génération Foot. He combined explosive pace with an exceptional ability to string dribbles together in tight spaces. The one drawback for many was his size: the player stands 1m68 and weighs 56 kg. That is probably one of the reasons, or the explanation, for his delayed breakthrough. Because the talent has always been there.

After a season at Metz in which he barely featured for the first team (2 games between 2018-2019), he was loaned to Pau (2019-2020) in the National, returning 10 goals in 25 games. He went out on loan again in 2020-2021 and played 30 games, scoring 3 goals, for the side that won promotion to Ligue 2. Back at Metz, he played 6 games, 2 of them as a starter, before being loaned out once more, to Quevilly, again in Ligue 2 (2021-2022). He played only 16 games, scoring 2 goals and providing 3 assists. Sabaly himself put that winding path down to a problem adapting.

Maturity under Bölöni

Last season (2022-2023) László Bölöni put his faith in him, and the player showed huge potential, which, it must be said, many in Senegal had glimpsed in his early days. He played 28 games, scoring 3 goals and providing 2 assists. Those numbers can be misleading about his real impact, as Cheikh Tidiane Sabaly was the catalyst for several moves. Buoyed by that confidence, he has kept up the momentum in Ligue 1 at the start of this season with accomplished performances. His directness, quick execution, good reading of the game and technique have never gone unnoticed.

But his ability to show it in Ligue 1, which had raised doubts, along with his defensive work, his goals out of nowhere (against Marseille and Reims) and qualities not previously associated with him, such as tracking back and repeated hard work, make him a player whose profile is now suited to the demands of the professional game. Given his technique, his dribbling and his vision, the name of Cheikh Sabaly is starting to be whispered by some casual observers as a player who could be picked for Senegal.

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A one-of-a-kind profile that would be welcome in the national team…

The 24-year-old exudes maturity. He seems to have absorbed the tactical side of European football. He has toned down his provocative dribbling, which he now uses wisely to be the catalyst for many Metz attacks down the left. Judging by his start to the season, Cheikh Tidiane Sabaly would, for a few rare football aficionados, be a good addition for Senegal's Lions. But with his place in a 26-man squad already more than hypothetical, the CAF's decision to cut the number to 23 makes spots even harder to come by. Yet he makes a case for himself because of his profile. On the left, Sadio Mané, less sharp and less quick than in the past, could be used up front, competing with Habib Diallo, Boulaye Dia and Nicolas Jackson. That could free up a place on that flank.

Some might say Illiman Ndiaye, Jackson and Ismaila Sarr can all move over to the left. But Cheikh Tidiane Sabaly is another solution, already used to playing on that side and offering different options. “I'm a direct player. I can bring pace. I have the ability to work my way out of tight spaces. I think that's my strength”, he said of his strengths.

The press and coaches are not mentioning his name much among possible call-ups, but the player is quietly going about his business. If he maintains his current level of involvement, becomes more decisive and treats the crowd to more fine goals to put himself in the spotlight, then in the few games left before the AFCON squads are named he could well make Senegal's provisional list and, which would be a surprise, even get on board for AFCON 2023. That would be a boon for Senegal, some who know his talent, which he has not yet fully shown, believe.

✅ If Aliou Cisse has to replace Ismaila Sarr🇸🇳🦁, I hope he calls up this man, Cheikh Tidian Sabaly🇸🇳🦁, who is having a good start to the season with FC Metz. pic.twitter.com/c0ukm49CQS

— Footsen⭐ (@footsen221) September 9, 2023