Premier League: African players in the anguish of Tottenham

Pope Matar Sarr
The Senegalese midfielder was one of the captains of Tottenham during the 2024/25 season which led to the victory of the Spurs in the Europa League. The Senegalese midfielder played 55 matches (6 goals and 3 assists) with Spurs and contributed significantly to this European title that had eluded the London club for several years. With the arrival of Thomas Frank, the status of the Lion of Teranga has not changed. He remained a central element for Tottenham, even after the latter’s departure and the arrival of Igor Tudor.

But the weeks follow each other and are similar for the Spurs who are on a black streak of 11 games without any victory in the championship (4 draws, 7 defeats). Ranked 16th, the London club that travels on Sunday, March 15 to Liverpool (16:30 GMT) plays more than ever its survival in the Premier League. With 29 appearances (2 goals and 3 assists) this season, Pape Matar Sarr should naturally be the first. But the future of the 2025 African champion – under contract until 2030 - would write far from Tottenham Stadium in case of a fall to D2 at the end of the season.

Yves Bissouma
We did not see him through the summer at Tottenham, but the Malian midfielder, blacklisted by Thomas Frank, survived the London storm and regained some playing time after his return from AFCON 2025. But with only 8 matches played this season and a sidelined in the Champions League, Yves Bissouma whose contract expires next June should leave freely for the summer transfer market.

Mohammed Kudus
He is one of the nine Tottenham players who are still in the infirmary. Arrived last summer with a lot of promise and sparkling beginnings, Mohammed Kudus has been absent since mid-January and his thigh injury. His return is announced for April, but the Premier League would be almost towards its end at this period and if the Spurs do not manage to save themselves by then, his future too (under contract until 2031) could be called into question.

With 3 goals and 6 assists in 26 games, Mohammed Kudus was well launched with Tottenham, but with his status, notably in the team where he is vice-captain of the Ghana Black Stars, it is very unlikely to see him with the Spurs next season if they cannot escape relegation.

With 29 points in 29 matches, the Spurs who have not played in the Championship since the 1977-78 season are closer than ever to a relegation in the second division, which could jeopardize the future of the three African players in their squad.