Chelsea have enough quality to win Champions League – Senegal defender Mamadou Sarr

Senegal defender Mamadou Sarr says Chelsea are good enough to match their past glories and win the Champions League this season.

The 20-year-old Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) defender was recalled from his loan spell at sister club Strasbourg in January and given a place in Chelsea’s Champions League squad.

The Premier League side will face European champions Paris St-Germain at the Parc des Princes in the first leg of the quarterfinals. 

Ahead of the game,  Sarr believes Chelsea are capable of winning the tournament with their young squad.

“I think we are young, but we have a lot of experience. Guys like Reece [James], they won the trophy, they won the Champions League, so I think we can achieve that again,” Sarr told BBC Sport.

“I don’t think it’s about age; I think it’s about mentality and level.”

Sarr, who has made three starts since reuniting with his former head coach Liam Rosenior, is enjoying his return to Chelsea, having been involved in the Club World Cup campaign that culminated in a 3-0 win over PSG in New Jersey.

He remembers staying up late with his brother, Abdou, watching Chelsea’s past Champions League triumphs — particularly their series of matches against Barcelona. “I watched them a lot,” he said, naming stars including Eden Hazard, Willian, Victor Moses, Branislav Ivanovic and Ramires.

Meanwhile, Rosenior’s decision to start Sarr against Arsenal highlights the trust he has placed in the defender, whom he has signed twice — first at Strasbourg and again at Chelsea. Players at both clubs jokingly refer to him as “Mamadou Rosenior” because of their father‑son‑style relationship.

“He impressed me with the way he talks to you directly — you feel his passion. I fell in love with his systems and the way he sees the game. I think I understand football more because of him,” Sarr continued.

On the nickname, he added: “It’s been a joke then and now even at Chelsea. I know he likes me, but just because he likes me doesn’t mean I’m going to play for sure. I have to show it in training and on the pitch.”