Senegalese winger Ismaïla Sarr answers your questions in a Q&A first published in Watford FC matchday programme The Hornet!
How has the experience of playing in the Championship compared to the Premier League and Ligue 1? (watfordfc.chat)
“Ligue 1 is a bit more tactical and you play more football, and the main thing with the Premier League is that you play against some very big clubs and some amazing players. The Championship is just a war. Every game is like a battle, no matter the team, and each time you enter the pitch you know that you have to fight. It surprised me how physical it is and how much you have to use your body against defenders. At first I wasn’t happy with my performance and I felt I could give more to the team, but I have worked hard to become better and to do my job.”
Do you prefer playing in a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 formation? (freddy_bowden56)
“I am used to playing in a lot of different systems, even in my time so far in England, and I am happy to play in whichever way the coach wants. I think 4-3-3 is probably my favourite, because it is the best for the way I play, and I have loved playing like this over the past few months.”
What is the key to your successful partnership with Kiko? (jasmine_.xox)
“The reason we play well together is because we have been playing on that right-hand side for a long time now and we understand each other. We have a kind of connection. We speak different languages but we understand each other on the pitch, and I love playing with him.”
Favourite goal in your career? (@WatfordIniesta)
“When I played at Rennes, I scored a goal in a Europa League match against Jablonec, a team from the Czech Republic. It was a volley into the top corner after a one-two outside the area, and I really enjoyed scoring this goal. It was in 2018 and we won the game 2-1.”
Favourite goal with Watford? (Σταυρος Ιωαννου)
“Everybody always talks to me about the goals I scored against Liverpool, but to be honest, I like every goal I score. If I had to pick any, I would say I think I prefer the two goals that I scored recently against Reading. They were both good goals but the second was probably the best.”
Best game you've played in with Watford? (jesslyf51)
“I always try and do my best for the club in every game I play, but if I was to pick one game it would have to be the 3-0 win against Liverpool. I have such great memories from my first Premier League season, especially becoming the first team to beat Liverpool, and I was proud to play my part in that with two goals.”
Who is the funniest person in the locker room? @tumishokope
“I think it’s Craig Cathcart. We have a lot of funny people in the changing room, but I have to say Craig. He is making jokes with everyone all the time and he does it to every player, so he’s a very funny guy.”
Who are you closest with at the club? (jazz.3s)
“That’s a difficult question because I get on with everyone really well, but if I was to pick one I’d probably choose Christian Kabasele. We both speak French so the language obviously helps, but also he is very kind and we get on well together.”
What kind of music do you listen to? (Liam)
“I mostly tend to listen to Senegalese music. There are two types of music from my country that I like which are very different in their style: one is rock and the other is more like samba.”
What are your favourite things to do in your free time? (@wfc_josh)
“It’s been difficult to do anything in my spare time over the last year, so I have mostly liked playing PlayStation at home or watching movies and TV series. My favourite game on the PlayStation is FIFA.”
What’s your 100-metre sprint personal best? (jonesyyy26)
“Good question! I don’t actually know because I’ve never measured it. Maybe I should try it sometime with some of my teammates.”
Who was the Senegalese footballer that inspired you the most when you were a young child? (Sampson Cambell)
“It’s quite well known that I have always been a big fan of Sadio Mané. When I was growing up in Senegal I always watched him to see how he played, and I’ve continued to do so since being in France and now England. He is an incredible player and I am proud to call him a friend and a teammate with the national team.”
Messi or Ronaldo? (charlie06s)
“Definitely Cristiano Ronaldo. He’s the GOAT. Messi is an amazing player too, but Ronaldo was the player outside of Senegal who inspired me the most as a child. There’s nothing he can’t do and I’ve always loved watching him play. I’m his biggest fan.”
What is your favourite team? (t_4rh)
“Like I was just saying, as a child I was a huge fan of Cristiano Ronaldo, so I guess Manchester United were the team I ended up watching the most when he was playing there. Now I am a Watford player though, so my team is Watford.”
Toughest defender you have come up against? (david_wallace05)
“That’s another difficult question but I would say Virgil van Dijk is the toughest. He is very strong and what he does in terms of defence is amazing. I’d struggle to name a defender that’s been more difficult to play against.”
Which striker not currently at Watford would you most like to play alongside? (bmohan)
“It’s maybe not an obvious choice but I really enjoyed playing alongside M’Baye Niang at Rennes. I am very close with him through the Senegal national team as well, and we play very well together. He told me that he played here at Watford and he spoke very well about the club.”
What do you like and dislike most about life and football in England? (Danny Pattinson)
“To be honest, when I play football I am happy about everything, so I like everything about life here in England. The only thing I would change is the weather, as it is too cold here, and at first it was difficult not being able to speak the language very well, but I think I have got used to things now and I am happy.”
How much have you missed the fans since lockdown? (Andrew Sumner)
“We have all missed them a lot. They make so many sacrifices to follow us and they give you that extra push to help you play your best and win the game. Hopefully we can give them something back so that when they return, we are in the Premier League again.” [Note: This interview was conducted before Watford confirmed promotion to the Premier League on Saturday!]
