Youssouf Sabaly had his first minutes in LaLiga against Espanyol and confirmed his good feelings after returning in the derby against Sevilla after a five-month absence due to injury. The Senegalese, who was not called up to attend the African Cup due to his long-term injury, has returned to the pitch hoping to become an important piece for Manuel Pellegrini. He arrived in Heliópolis in the summer to replace Emerson’s departure in that right-handed lane, although his injury forced the club to bet on Héctor Bellerín in a clear context of need. Now, he intends to show that he can be key in that green-and-white right wing.
The return of Sabaly translates into the winter reinforcement of this Betis. Hardly any footballer arrives in this market and Pellegrini thus has more variants in his drawing due to the versatility of the player. It also coincides with the injury of Martín Montoya, the third of the ways for Betis’ right back. Sabaly has a marked offensive character and that pleases Pellegrini, who also asks for that intensity and courage when the chosen one is Bellerín. The tough schedule ahead, with the Copa del Rey and the Europa League just around the corner, forces the coach to have more guaranteed substitutes in anticipation of constant rotations in some positions.
La Liga Santander
*Data updated as of January 23, 2022
Sabaly’s performance could condition the future of Betis’ right wing. Martín Montoya still hasn’t gained Pellegrini’s trust this season and a half, while Bellerín came on loan and negotiating with Arsenal won’t be easy in the event that Heliópolis intends to keep the footballer. The two, yes, responded with some solvency in their appearances this season. The Verdiblanco coach, for the moment, is satisfied with the strengths he has in his right lane and was very happy after verifying this week that Sabaly is at a good level after that injury that conditioned the entire first round.