Watford’s Senegal winger, Ismaila Sarr has credited Liverpool forward, Sadio Mane for improving his game and helping him settle in England. To the winger, Mane is like a “big brother.”
Sarri signed for Premier League from Ligue 1 in a club-record deal worth more than £25m. From Rennes, Sarri now plays for Watford.
The 21-year-old confessed of how he found it tough when he first arrived in Premier League. But, his Senegal team-mate, Sadio Mane has helped him.
“Sadio is talking to me all the time. He advises me to do this, do that. He is a big brother to me.” Said Sarri.
“When I arrived, he sent messages of ‘welcome to the Premier League, welcome to England. We also talk when on the national team.”
“He gives me tips; I try to execute them and to implement them. If you don’t play, be calm, carry on, do your job, it will be OK.”
“If I don’t play, no problem. I come and work on the following day.”
Just like Mane, Sarr started his career at Generation Foot. A football academy in Senegal’s capital Dakar. From there, he moved to Metz in France.
“When I was transferred from Metz to Rennes, I was watching videos of Sadio. His acceleration, his dribbling, I watch everything.” Added Sarri.
Watford’s winger has scored one goal in nine Premier League games so far. This weekend, he comes up against Mane when his side visits Anfield to play the Premier League leaders.
“I think the match will be like any other. We are going to work and fight. We aren’t going there just to watch Sadio play, we will also have to play.”
“I have to show I understood the advice I was given by him. At the end of the match, he can give me some more tips.”
Sarr also says he found it hard not being a regular in the Hornets’ team to begin with. But more regular game-time means he now feels at home in his new league.
“It is different. It has been difficult for me during the first two months as I was not playing. Now, I start playing a little bit and I hope it will be like that from now on.”