Ismaila Sarr Injury Update: Crystal Palace Coach Pierre Sage's Stance
Pierre Sage has drawn a firm line under the noise around Ismaila Sarr – at least for now.
The Crystal Palace head coach insists he expects the winger to stay at Selhurst Park despite an approach from Liverpool and two rejected bids from Galatasaray. Sarr, 28, missed the Eagles’ Premier League opener at Everton and will again be absent when Manchester City visit on Friday night, but Sage is adamant that has nothing to do with transfer manoeuvres.
Sage: “He is in pain with his groin”
Rumours that Sarr has stopped training to force a move have been dismissed out of hand. Sage made it clear the Senegal international is simply not fit.
“Ismaila Sarr is injured. He is in pain with his groin – that’s why you didn’t see him with us today,” Sage explained. “He is in individual training because he is really in pain with his groin. But we’ll prepare him, he needs time.”
There is no prospect of a quick return.
“I thought it would be quicker, but I am not a doctor,” he added. “That is why I wait for him and we prepare for him to come back with us. No chance he plays against City.”
Liverpool interest and a long contract
Liverpool’s move has inevitably unsettled the situation, but Sage pointed to the reality of Sarr’s deal. The forward still has three years left on his contract, which hands Palace a strong position as the window ticks on.
“For the moment, yeah,” Sage said when asked if he expects Sarr to stay. “Because when you have three years on the contract, it is not easy to leave.”
Sage has held repeated talks with Sarr this week and says he sympathises with the player, whose name is now being thrown around in transfer headlines on a daily basis.
“I understand that for everybody to have this kind of contact is difficult, because you hesitate a lot. But for the moment, he is with us. He is under contract,” he said.
“For me, he is honest”
With speculation swirling, the Palace boss was keen to separate the medical bulletin from the market chatter.
“He is injured and maybe you can make a link between his injury and the situation. But for me, he is honest and I have no problem with that,” Sage stressed. “I spoke with him this morning about that, yesterday about that, too. And we just want him on the pitch.”
The Frenchman knows exactly what the transfer window does to a dressing room: agents calling, families debating, players wondering if this is their moment to jump.
“All the rest is for the other people. Football is like this now, we know when it is the transfer window that there is a lot of noise, a lot of stuff for the player,” he said. “Maybe some of them are not really comfortable with this situation – and their agent, too, their family. That’s why it is not really a good period when you are inside in a club, but you know when it is finished we will only be concerned with our performances. We just have to wait for that.”
The lure of Liverpool, he accepts, is not easily brushed aside.
“It’s always difficult for a player when your name is associated with a club like Liverpool,” Sage admitted.
For now, though, the message from the Palace dugout is simple: Sarr is hurt, Sarr is under contract, and anything beyond that is out of Sage’s hands.
“For the moment, the most important thing is to understand the player is not able to play and is in treatment, and what happens with his potential future is really far from me.”
Liverpool have made their move. Galatasaray have tested Palace’s resolve. The clock is ticking. The next decision belongs to the boardroom – and to Sarr’s groin.
