Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior says Mamadou Sarr has the versatility to operate across the back line after the defender returned to the club following a curtailed loan spell at Strasbourg.
The young Senegalese defender rejoined the Blues during the winter transfer window, with Rosenior welcoming the decision and underlining both the opportunity and the challenge now facing the player in a competitive Chelsea squad.
Speaking to the club’s official website, the 41-year-old head coach made clear his approval of Sarr’s return and the thinking behind it.
“I’m delighted he’s with us and I thank the sporting directors and owners for supporting what I felt was the right decision for us and for him in his career,” Rosenior said.
Sarr’s development during his time away has not gone unnoticed, with the Chelsea manager pointing to visible progress in recent months.
“I see progress in Mamadou, even in his performance in the AFCON final. I see physical and tactical improvement. Moreover, it was an area of the pitch we could strengthen,” Rosenior explained.
However, Rosenior was equally clear that returning to Stamford Bridge does not guarantee immediate playing time. With competition for places intense, Sarr will need to prove himself on the training ground before establishing a regular role.
“He’ll get his chance, but he knows he’ll have to fight for it because we have a lot of excellent central defenders in our group,” the manager warned.
A key asset in Sarr’s favour is his adaptability, something Rosenior values highly in his defensive unit. He highlighted the flexibility available within his squad and the importance of players who can operate in multiple roles.
“If you look at the versatility of our defenders, Trevoh Chalobah can play in all three positions, Wesley Fofana can play on the right or in the center, Mamadou can play in all three positions, Josh Acheampong as well. I appreciate this flexibility, especially in our build-up play,” he said.
Rosenior also rejected the idea of restricting Sarr to a single defensive role, stressing that modern defenders must be comfortable across the line.
“I’m not saying that a player is just a central, right, or left defender. Mamadou can play in all positions and do so at a very high level,” he added.
That versatility has already been evident with the Senegal national team, including during the recent Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, and Chelsea will now look to harness that quality as Sarr seeks to establish himself back at the club.
