Chelsea are keen on strengthening their defensive ranks under Liam Rosenior
15:41, 19 Jan 2026
Mamadou Sarr of Senegal looks on during the quarter final match between Senegal and Egypt at Tangier Stadium, Tangier, Morocco on January 14, 2026
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Mamadou Sarr helped Senegal win the Africa Cup of Nations(Image: Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Mamadou Sarr suddenly became a key player for Senegal when Kalidou Koulibaly suffered an injury midway through the Africa Cup of Nations. The 20-year-old defender, who's currently on loan at Strasbourg from Chelsea, rose to the challenge and led his country to glory...
Sarr only made his senior debut for Senegal in November, starting in an 8-0 friendly win over Kenya. The youngster made a great impression, securing a place in Pape Thiaw's squad for the upcoming tournament.
With help from Liam Rosenior, who was still the Strasbourg boss at the time, Sarr staked a claim for a place in the Senegal starting lineup. Under the new Chelsea boss, the youngster had established himself as one of the most promising young centre-backs in the French top flight.
Despite his best efforts, however, Thiaw began the Africa Cup of Nations with Moussa Niakhaté and Koulibaly at centre-half. Sarr was an unused substitute in the opening pair of games, watching from the sidelines as his country defeated Botswana and drew with the DR Congo.
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The Chelsea loanee was finally given his competitive debut in the third match of the group stage, coming off the bench during a win over Benin. He didn't feature for Senegal again until the semi-finals when Koulibaly suffered an injury.
Shortly before the half-hour mark, Sarr replaced the former Blues defender. The youngster helped Thiaw's side keep another clean sheet, beating Egypt to book a place in the final against Morocco.
Omar Khaled Mohamed Marmoush of Egypt and Mamadou Sarr of Senegal battle for the ball during the quarter final match between Senegal and Egypt at Tangier Stadium, Tangier, Morocco on January 14, 2026
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Mamadou Sarr made light work of Omar Marmoush and Mohamed Salah at the Africa Cup of Nations(Image: )
Just as he did in the previous round, Sarr showed great composure and maturity on the world stage as Senegal won the tournament for the second time in their history. The youngster dominated the tie, winning three aerial duels, completing five clearances, and recording seven defensive contributions.
Sarr also enjoyed a 93 per cent passing completion rate; three of which were threaded through the lines and into the final third. Despite playing the tournament's hosts in the final at a sold-out Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, he held his nerve and rose to the challenge.
The Chelsea loanee proved exactly why he deserves a place in Rosenior's squad next season. If Sarr was to reunite with his former boss at Stamford Bridge in the summer, the Blues would need to reshuffle the pack.
Senegal's Mamadou Sarr climbs high and wins a header against Morocco's Hamza Igamane during the Africa Cup Of Nations Final match between Senegal and Morocco at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on January 18, 2026 in Rabat, Morocco
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Mamadou Sarr was brilliant in the Africa Cup Of Nations final(Image: )
Not only will Levi Colwill have returned to action following a length spell on the sidelines, but the Club World Cup winners may well have welcomed a new face to Cobham training ground. football.london understands that Chelsea are interested in signing Jeremy Jacquet.
The Blues are said to be cautiously optimistic of signing a new centre-back before the January transfer window slams shut, too. So, if Rosenior was to sign the Stade Rennais star this month and integrate Sarr in the summer, Tosin Adarabioyo and Benoit Badiashile would suddenly face uncertain futures.
Especially if Aaron Anselmino, who's been turning heads while on loan at Borussia Dortmund this term, is thrown into the mix too. According to Transfermarkt, Tosin and Badiashile, whose deals expire in June 2028 and June 2030, respectively, have a market value of a combined £33m.
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The percentage of the fees accrued from their potential sales could be reinvested in new contracts for the next generation of Chelsea defenders.