Equipe du Sénégal : 10 joueurs qui pourraient intégrer la Tanière sous Patrick Vieira
Officially appointed as the new head coach of the Lions, the French manager is expected to usher in a new era and inject some fresh energy into the team. With an aging squad, some players having retired from international football, the new coach will have to draw upon Senegal's vast and talented pool of talent to allow the two-time African champions to continue their pursuit of the top. His first squad list, to be published this Friday, September 18th, is expected to include several new faces. Here are 10 players who could be among them.
Issa Soumaré (Stade Rennais)
A key player for Le Havre last season, the 25-year-old Senegalese winger has been thrust into the spotlight by signing with Stade Rennais. Explosive without being flashy, Soumaré is a winger appreciated for his tactical discipline and team spirit. Having scored 8 goals and provided 5 assists to help Le Havre secure their Ligue 1 status for the 2025/2026 season, he has started this campaign with Rennes at a more relaxed pace. During his adaptation period in Brittany, he has only managed one assist in four matches so far. If he finds his feet, he could be important for Rennes and open the door to the national team.
Ousmane Diao (Midtjylland)
If injuries hadn't sidelined him, the center-back would already be at a much bigger club and would almost certainly have earned a call-up to the national team. But better late than never. Back on the Danish pitches, Diao continues to showcase his immense talent. Strong in duels, the 22-year-old stands out above all for his technical ability and exceptional passing range. So much so that he is sometimes used as a defensive midfielder.
To revive a partnership that failed at the 2026 World Cup, Ousmane Diao could be a solution.
Lamine Sy (AJ Auxerre)
Already on the cusp of a call-up to the national team, the 24-year-old right-back has seen his chances of joining the Lions of Teranga increase in recent weeks. With Krépin Diatta still without a club and Antoine Mendy seriously injured, Lamine Sy has emerged as a credible alternative for Senegal's right flank. The Auxerre player is a modern full-back: quick and explosive, always ready to push forward whenever the opportunity arises. He is also disciplined defensively, rarely being beaten thanks to his pace.
Ismail Ka (AZ Alkmaar)
With Edouard Mendy now retired and Mory Diaw "exiled" to Saudi Arabia (Al-Shabab), Senegal is searching for a goalkeeper. Ismail Ka, a rising star at AZ Alkmaar, could be the solution for the future in this position. At 20 years old, he has been promoted to the first team to gain experience. Currently a backup, Ismaila Ka is destined for a bright future as the number one goalkeeper with the Dutch club. A future he also hopes to forge with the Lions of Teranga. "I played for the Dutch youth national teams and I was never selected by Senegal. Yet, it's obvious that I love this country very much," he said in an interview with 13Football .
Sadibou Sané (AS Monaco)
He's one of the revelations of this early season with AS Monaco. Signed for €7 million (4.5 billion CFA francs) from FC Metz, the 22-year-old central defender has quickly established himself in the heart of the Red and Whites' defense. The Génération Foot product has particularly distinguished himself thanks to his disciplined tackles. With his performances for the current joint leaders of the French league, he has become a credible candidate for inclusion in Patrick Vieira's first squad selection this Friday, September 18th.
Pape Demba Diop (Strasbourg)
Signed in 2025 and then loaned out for the past two seasons, the 23-year-old midfielder has finally found stability with the Alsatian club. Having become indispensable in midfield since the 4-0 defeat in Marseille on the opening day, Pape Demba Diop has been instrumental in Racing's good form (2 wins and 1 draw in the last 3 matches). Technically gifted, intelligent in his movement, and skillful, the midfielder could be a valuable addition to the Lions' midfield. He wouldn't be a French international, however, as he was already called up on September 9, 2023, for a match against Rwanda with no bearing on the standings, where Aliou Cissé decided to rest the senior squad players to give playing time and exposure to young Senegalese players in the lower age groups.
Idrissa Gueye (Udinese)
On September 9, 2023, against Rwanda in the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, the current Udinese striker was called up by Aliou Cissé. Coming on in the 86th minute, he didn't have time to showcase his full potential. But under Patrick Vieira, Idrissa Gueye could return to the national team. Powerful and imposing at 1.88 meters, the 19-year-old striker is very comfortable on the ball. Having scored against Inter Milan in La Liga, he could be a valuable option in the Lions' attack.
Arouna Sanganté (Sevilla FC)
Captain at Le Havre at 21, the central defender took the plunge this summer to join Sevilla FC in Andalusia. At 24 and at a turning point in his career, Sanganté surely wants to secure a place in the national team. Called up once (in 2024) without ever having played, the central defender undoubtedly hopes to get an opportunity under the new coach to establish himself in the national team. Dominant in the air and tough in the tackle, the Sevilla stalwart is a pure defender who relishes duels with his opponents. Sanganté is also a modern center-back who is careful with his distribution. An interesting profile, especially since he is also capable of filling in at right-back.
Malang Sarr (Neom SC)
Having been named to the Ligue 1 Team of the Year last season, the 27-year-old left-footer was expected by many to be included in the Lions' squad for the 2026 World Cup. Two months after the competition, Malang Sarr remains a candidate to join the squad now managed by Patrick Vieira.
The only downside is his transfer to Saudi Arabia, where the level of play remains far below that of Europe. It remains to be seen whether the new national team coach will decide to call up players from these "exotic leagues".
Asane Sow (FC Basel)
Senegal has consistently produced a wealth of attacking talent in recent years, and Asane Sow is no exception. Spotted in the Italian third division (Pro Vercelli) and signed for €600,000 (393 million CFA francs) by FC Basel, the 20-year-old winger has been a revelation since the start of the season in Switzerland. Technically gifted and a one-on-one specialist, the Senegalese player has added clinical finishing to his already spectacular game. In Basel's last six official matches, Sow has scored four goals and provided four assists. He will be one of the rising stars to watch in the upcoming transfer windows. Napoli, along with other clubs, have already begun scouting the Senegalese forward. Patrick Vieira might recognize his potential and give him a call-up to the national team before the Italian national team comes calling, given that Sow was born in Seriate, Italy.
Commentaires (30)
Mamadou Lamine Camara de AL Hilal Tripoli ( ex RS Berkane )
La raison est simple , il est le seul joueur sénégalais aujourd’hui capable de jouer le rôle de sentinelle au delà de Idrissa Gana Gueye, ensuite assurer la transition à ce poste pour le 7 ans a venir. Je te parle foot
Signé triple xxx
🇸🇳🔥🇸🇳
Faites nous rêver.
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