Mamadou Sarr: Chelsea boss explains delayed start for youngster

Chelsea coach Liam Rosenior has hinted at handing Senegal defender Mamadou Sarr a starting role when they face Hull City in an FA Cup fixture on Friday.

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 joined Strasbourg on loan in August, making 18 appearances for the French club in Ligue 1 and the Conference League. Despite arriving since the transfer day closed, Sarr is yet to feature for the Blues.

‘He needs time to integrate and acclimatise’

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner in Morocco, remained on the bench for his first two matches against Wolverhampton (1-3) and Leeds United (2-2) in the Premier League.

“Is there a chance he’ll play in this match? Yes. Mamadou has an excellent chance of starting. It’s very difficult for a player to change clubs in January,” said Rosenior as quoted by Chelsea website.

“The advantage for Mamadou is that he’s already played here and knows me very well, as well as my expectations and requirements for the players.

“He’s only been here for a week, so he needs time to integrate and acclimatise, but I think he’s now in good shape and he’ll certainly be on the pitch on Friday.”

‘I see a growth in Mamadou’

In a previous interview, Rosenior explained his decision to recall the 20-year-old. He said: “Everyone knows what I think about Mamadou, I think he’s got the potential to be a world-class center-back.

“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 center-backs in our group.”