Liam Rosenior is very likely to ring the changes when Chelsea take on Hull City in the FA Cup this Friday.
One change that the Chelsea manager could make is bringing Mamadou Sarr into the side.
Chelsea recalled Sarr from his loan at Strasbourg at the end of the winter transfer window; however, the central defender is yet to make an appearance since returning to Stamford Bridge.
Time for Mamadou Sarr to be given a try, or why else did we bring him back?
Something needs to change defensively!
Chelsea's goals conceded under Liam Rosenior
Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images
The Blues’ trip to the MKM Stadium, though, represents a big opportunity for Sarr.
Chelsea's Josh Acheampong gestures
Photo by Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images
Mamadou Sarr has chance to push himself up pecking order after Josh Acheampong’s mistake vs Leeds
Right now, Sarr is having to compete against several other centre-backs to get into Rosenior’s starting XI, including Josh Acheampong.
On Tuesday, it was Acheampong and Trevoh Chalobah who got the nod to begin Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Leeds United, with the former making a rare start.
Unfortunately for Acheampong, though, he failed to take his opportunity and was at fault for Leeds’ equaliser.
The Marc Guehi ship has sailed… Any experienced alternatives that come to mind ahead of this summer?
Antonio Rudiger? Ibrahima Konate? Marcos Senesi? 👀
Marc Guehi of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Arsenal legend Paul Merson placed some of the blame on Acheampong after the 19-year-old refused to clear the ball, which resulted in Noah Okafor eventually being handed a shot in front of an empty net.
Following that incident, if Sarr goes on to have a good game against Hull, it could see him move up the centre-back pecking order at Chelsea and ultimately higher than his teammate.
Rosenior is already a fan of Sarr after working with him at Strasbourg, believing that the Senegal international has huge potential.
Mamadou Sarr of Chelsea during a training session
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Why Mamadou Sarr has to take Hull opportunity
In a sense, Sarr already has his back against the wall. He is competing not only against Acheampong and Chalobah, but also Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile and Tosin Adarabioyo.
When Levi Colwill returns from his ACL injury, that is another name to add to the list.
In short, Sarr may not get too many opportunities between now and the end of the season, which is why he cannot afford any slip-ups, especially against Championship opposition such as Hull.
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