Malang Sarr close to Chelsea move as team continues summer spree

Chelsea looking to strengthen centre-back options with Malang Sarr signature

Since the transfer ban has been lifted on Chelsea, the club have wasted no time this summer in constructing a squad to close the gap on the Premier League’s top two sides.

Lampard’s first season in charge of the West London outfit saw the club secure a place in the Champions League for 20/21 as well as reach a FA Cup Final. The manager saw enough from his team during this time to identify the areas in most need of an upgrade and the centre-back position was certainly one.

Work on strengthening this position is already underway with the arrival of PSG captain and legend Thiago Silva on a reported 2-year deal. He appears though to not be the only incoming player in this area with Chelsea looking at young OGC Nice defender Malang Sarr with a deal close according to David Ornstein of The Athletic.

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Sarr is a left-footed centre-half who also has the ability to move to left-back, which was required of him under Vieira at Nice. Vieira liked to move between a 4-1-4-1 and a 3-4-3, using Sarr’s versatility to build his defence.

This is a great strength of the defender and to enable him to play within these different formations the young man relies on his excellent athleticism and physique. Sarr has excellent speed and acceleration, which he uses to cover either his full-back or fellow centre back whilst also allowing him to progress the ball forward when his side are attacking.

Sarr is comfortable on the ball and at Nice was asked to help build attacks by either making passes forward or carrying the ball into vacated spaces. The passes Sarr attempted were often medium to long-range passes both of which he completed with high percentages 94.7% and 80.4% respectively.

This would benefit Chelsea’s more attack-minded players, allowing them to stay higher up the pitch to receive the ball closer to where they can inflict maximum damage on their opponents.

Like many young players, Sarr is not the finished article. The centre-back needs to refine his concentration and recognition of attacking situations. This would allow him to be less reactionary helping prevent attacks before they build or being beaten

The defender is combative and looks to get out and meet his opposite number to either intercept the ball or prevent the player moving towards an attacking position. Last season Sarr made 34 interceptions and blocked 23 shots. This shows the impact of when the defender’s aggression is rewarded.

However this trait can be exploited by opposition teams who recognise the space the player leaves behind when making these moves playing the ball into these areas.

More game time is required for Sarr allowing him to build his recognition of when to make these defensive actions and will make him a more complete defender.

Sarr has all the attributes to be a defensive star and a potential loan move to earn more playing time will be a step in the right direction for his football education and if his development matches his physical gifts he could become Chelsea’s first choice centre-back for the next 10 years.

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