Mamadou Sarr: Chelsea coach gives update on returning defender

Chelsea coach Liam Rosenior has promised Senegal arrival Mamadou Sarr playing time with the Premier League side but urged the player to fight for the chance.

The Blues made a late decision to recall Sarr from his loan at Strasbourg on transfer deadline day. The 20-year-old defender had signed for Chelsea in June and made his debut against ES Tunis during their triumphant Club World Cup campaign.

 

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However, he rejoined Strasbourg on loan in August, making 18 appearances for the French club in Ligue 1 and the Conference League.

Sarr has potential to become world-class defender

“Everyone knows what I think about Mamadou, I think he’s got the potential to be a world-class centre-back,’ replied Rosenior when asked for his opinion on the 20-year-old’s return to the Blues as quoted by Chelsea website.

“I’m delighted he’s here and thank the sporting directors and ownership for supporting what I thought was the right decision for us and for him in his career.

“I see a growth in Mamadou, even his performance in the AFCON final. I see a growth in his physicality; I see a growth in his tactical understanding. Also, it was an area of the pitch I felt we could strengthen.

“He will get his opportunity, but he knows he needs to fight for it because we have got many outstanding centre-backs in our group.”

Sarr can play every position on high level

Rosenior added: “If you look at the flexibility of our defenders, Trevoh [Chalobah] can play all three positions, Wes [Fofana] can play on the right or centre, Mamadou can play all three, Josh [Acheampong] can play all three.

“I like versatility and flexibility, in our build-up especially. I don’t say someone is “just a central centre-back or right or left centre-back. Mamadou can play every position and can do it at a very high level.”

Sarr earned his first cap for Senegal in November and was included in their squad for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

Having featured twice as a substitute earlier in the tournament, Sarr started the final as Senegal were crowned champions following a dramatic 1-0 extra-time victory over Morocco.

Mamadou Sarr rappelé par Chelsea après son prêt à Strasbourg

Chelsea a pris une décision tardive mais stratégique en rappelant Mamadou Sarr de son prêt à RC Strasbourg lors de la dernière journée du marché des transferts. Le défenseur de 20 ans avait rejoint le club londonien en juin avant de retourner en France en août pour poursuivre son développement.

Sous les couleurs strasbourgeoises, Sarr a disputé 18 matches toutes compétitions confondues, entre la Ligue 1 et la Conference League, accumulant une expérience précieuse au plus haut niveau européen.

Mamadou Sarr a le potentiel pour devenir un défenseur de classe mondiale

Interrogé sur le retour du jeune Sénégalais, Liam Rosenior n’a pas caché son admiration pour le potentiel du joueur.

« Tout le monde sait ce que je pense de Mamadou. Je crois qu’il a le potentiel pour devenir un défenseur central de classe mondiale », a déclaré Rosenior sur le site officiel de Chelsea.

L’entraîneur a salué la progression globale du joueur, aussi bien sur le plan physique que tactique, notamment lors de ses prestations récentes avec la sélection sénégalaise.

« Je vois une évolution chez Mamadou, même lors de sa performance en finale de la CAN. Je vois une progression dans sa puissance physique et dans sa compréhension du jeu. C’était aussi un secteur que nous voulions renforcer. »