Chelsea bolster defence by recalling AFCON winner
Mamadou Sarr of Senegal celebrates victory during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON final match between Senegal and Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco on 18 January 2026 ©Weam Mostafa/BackpagePix
by Staff Reporter
Monday Feb 02, 2026. 10:54
Chelsea are set to recall Senegalese international Mamadou Sarr from loan at RC Strasbourg.
This is according to transfer aficionado Fabrizio Romano.
Romano wrote on twitter on Monday: “Decision made as Chelsea believe Sarr is top talent at centre back for long term, key part of [their] project and his return is imminent.”
The 20-year-old joined the Blues from Strasbourg in June and represented his new side at the FIFA Club World Cup, making a cameo appearance in Chelsea’s final group game against Espérance Sportive de Tunis.
He was loaned back to the fellow BlueCo owned club for the 2025/26 season, but has been called back to London to bolster Chelsea’s defence for the second half of the season.
The centre back played under new Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior at the French outfit before the tactician’s move to London in early January.
Sarr played for France’s U20 side before switching allegiance to Senegal in December, alongside Paris Saint-Germain youngster Ibrahim Mbaye.
He would go on to make three appearances for the West African country at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, starting in both the semi-final and final to help the Lions of Teranga lift the continental title for a second time.
By Nic Gleeson