Published: July 16, 2021 8:55 pm
Last Updated: July 16, 2021 9:05 pm
An insight into the future of Chelsea defender Malang Sarr has, on Friday, come to the fore online.
Pensioners switch
French youth international Sarr was of course one of a host of players to have put pen-to-paper on terms with Premier League giants Chelsea in the summer of 2020.
Amid a remarkable recruitment drive on the part of the Blues, Sarr was snapped up on a free transfer, following the expiration of his contract with long-time club OGC Nice.
With the likes of Thiago Silva, Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Kurt Zouma to compete with for game-time, however, it always appeared unlikely that the 22-year-old would remain at Stamford Bridge this past season.
Sarr, in turn, went on to link up with Portuguese heavyweights Porto on loan back in October.
His season-long stint at the Estadio do Dragao, however, proved largely underwhelming, with Sarr having managed appearances in just eight of Porto’s 34 Liga Nos outings.
PORTO, PORTUGAL – FEBRUARY 13: Malang Sarr of FC Porto looks on during the Liga NOS match between FC Porto and Boavista FC at Estadio do Dragao on February 13, 2021 in Porto, Portugal. Sporting stadiums around Portugal remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
‘Hope to join the team’
Such struggles for playing time, in turn, led to the understandable assumption that, ahead of the fast-approaching 2021/22 campaign, Sarr would simply be loaned out again, to a landing spot where he would be guaranteed of consistent minutes on the pitch.
If the latest word doing the rounds in the media on Friday is anything to go by, however, then this may, in the end, not prove to be the case.
As per a report from Andreas Korssund, Chelsea correspondent for Norwegian outlet Nyhetsmagasinet Sporten, Blues boss Thomas Tuchel has thus far been ‘very pleased’ with Sarr’s form in pre-season.
Such efforts have seen the Frenchman stake a firm claim for a place in Tuchel’s plans for next season, with Marc Guehi’s imminent departure for Crystal Palace having been sanctioned as a result.
Tuchel has been very pleased with Malang Sarr so far. Tuchel has Malang in his plans for next season. Tuchel had to make a choice between Malang and Marc, he chose Malang. So when such a high offer for Marc was offered, the board did not hesitate.☑️ #CFC
— Andreas Korssund (@kors_andreas) July 16, 2021
On the same day as such claims have surfaced online, meanwhile, Sarr himself has spoken out regarding his plans for the year ahead.
During an interview with Chelsea’s official website, the gifted stopper first spoke of his happiness in West London, before confirming his desire to ‘join the team’ on their journey back ‘to the top’:
‘It’s a pleasure to be here, starting to work, we are working very hard and very well so I’m happy. I have enjoyed being here.’
‘I have spoken a little bit with the manager, he knows I speak French so we have been talking.’
‘I have a good feeling here; everybody is very good with me. I can feel everybody is ambitious here.’
‘They want to work and they really want us to give the best every day, and that’s a good thing because that’s how I see things. I really want to work hard every day and try to improve in every aspect.’
‘I hope to join the team and help the team to the top. They finished the season as Kings of Europe.’
Malang Sarr explains why #CFC already have their Marc Guehi alternative amid incoming transfer. https://t.co/ANO6Y3l1xa
— Chelsea FC News (@Chelsea_FL) July 16, 2021
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Premier League table
| # | Team | MP | D | P |
| 1 | Leeds United | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Manchester City | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Manchester United | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | West Ham United | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Everton FC | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Southampton FC | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Chelsea London | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Arsenal London | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Newcastle United | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Leicester City | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | Liverpool FC | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Aston Villa | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Tottenham Hotspur | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Crystal Palace | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | Norwich City | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | Watford FC | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | Burnley FC | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | Brentford FC | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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