Chelsea are considering a reshuffle at centre-back before the January deadline, with Mamadou Sarr and Aaron Anselmino at the centre of the discussions, according to RMC Sport. But looks like it’s not going to be easy.
As reported by RCM Sport, Chelsea are studying the possibility of recalling Mamadou Sarr from his current loan at Strasbourg. The 20-year-old defender, who is under contract with Chelsea until 2026, has been a regular in Ligue 1 this season. He has made 14 league appearances and has worn the captain’s armband, underlining his importance to the French side.
The French outlet explain that Sarr is well regarded in London, particularly by head coach Liam Rosenior, who previously worked at Strasbourg and maintains a strong relationship with the Senegal international. With Chelsea still looking to add defensive depth, bringing Sarr back earlier than planned is being seriously discussed.
However, the move would require compensation for Strasbourg. To facilitate Sarr’s return, Chelsea are considering sending Aaron Anselmino on loan to the French club.
The Argentine centre-back had been on loan at Borussia Dortmund, but Chelsea recently activated a clause to recall him. That decision drew criticism in Germany and led the player “breaking down in tears” with his teammates.
Even so, the operation is described as complex. Strasbourg would need to feel adequately covered before agreeing to lose their captain mid-season. We’ll see if Chelsea can balance these moving parts in time.