Liam Rosenior and Mamadou Sarr have been reunited at Chelsea after working together at Strasbourg.
Sarr joined Strasbourg on an initial season-long loan deal last summer but was recalled by Chelsea at the very end of the January transfer window.
Since returning to Stamford Bridge, the central defender is yet to make an appearance for the Blues.
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The top-four race is hotting up…
However, that is set to change on Friday when Chelsea face Hull City in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Strasbourg defender Mamadou Sarr with the ball
Photo by Frederick FLORIN / AFP via Getty Images
Liam Rosenior confirms Mamadou Sarr will feature against Hull
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, which has been shared by Chelsea’s official club website, Rosenior confirmed that Sarr will play at the MKM Stadium this Friday.
On Sarr, the Chelsea manager said: “It’s very difficult for a player in January to move clubs, but the great thing for Mamadou is he’s been here before, he knows me very well, and knows my expectations and demands with the players.
“He’s only been here for a week, so he needs time to bed in and acclimatise, but I think he’s in a really good place and he’ll definitely see the pitch at some point on Friday.”
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
Sarr is competing against Josh Acheampong and several other central defenders for a place in Rosenior’s team so needs to make a good impression in this round of the FA Cup.
The 20-year-old will be hoping that he fares much better than Acheampong did in his last outing, with his teammate having been partly responsible for Leeds United’s equaliser in their 2-2 draw with Chelsea.
Mamadou Sarr #19 of Chelsea FC talks to the media
Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images
What Mamadou Sarr will bring to MKM Stadium pitch
Like a lot of central defenders today, Sarr is quite comfortable in possession and his stats show that.
According to FotMob, the Senegal international completes 64.34 passes per 90 minutes, giving him a pass success rate of 95%.
Ultimately, it means Sarr should be able to help Chelsea play out from the back at the MKM Stadium.
Where the former Strasbourg loanee may struggle is in the air. Winning just 1.38 aerial duels per 90 minutes, he ranks quite low in that department.
Against a Championship side like Hull, there is no doubt that Sarr is going to be tested aerially, so the above may concern some supporters. But overall, the Chelsea youngster is still a defender with a lot of potential, and the club clearly feel that he can make a difference in what is left of the season.
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