Mamadou Sarr has wasted no time in making a mockery of Enzo Maresca’s claims that he would need significant time to adapt to the Premier League, with the 20-year-old producing a defensive masterclass just days after his return to Stamford Bridge.
Liam Rosenior’s decision to bring Mamadou Sarr back to Chelsea was a popular one, but it took a bit of shuffling around, as Aaron Anselmino went to Strasbourg as his replacement.
Chelsea have had their fair share of defensive issues, struggling to keep the same centre-back partnership at times. But Liam Rosenior now has a pool of five defenders that he can call upon.
Trevoh Chalobah and Wesley Fofana have been preferred when fit, but Sarr has forced his way into the reckoning with his record-breaking display against Hull City.
It’s early days but Sarr is already proving Maresca wrong.
Jamie Carragher wonders whether we are seeing another Graham Potter at Chelsea 🤔
Thoughts?
Jamie Carragher compares Graham Potter to Liam Rosenior at Chelsea
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Mamadou Sarr told he wasn’t ready by Enzo Maresca
Back in the summer, Enzo Maresca said that Mamadou Sarr will need time but Liam Delap was primed and ready for action in the summer.
“They are three talents. I trained Delap in the Under 21s of City: he already has experience of the Premier League, he was relegated with Ipswich but he scored 12 goals. And he is a strong guy.
“The other two will need time: they are both born in 2005, we will have to understand when they will be ready but in perspective they are very strong players.”
It’s easy to know why Maresca came to that conclusion when he joined, but Delap has struggled in his first season at Chelsea. Whereas you would’ve thought Sarr had 50 games under his belt.
Would you start Sarr against Burnley, and who does he replace?
High hopes for Mamadou Sarr at Chelsea
Mamadou Sarr has made an immediate mockery of Enzo Maresca’s earlier caution, proving that the acclimatisation warning issued during his 2025 signing was perhaps overly conservative.
Maresca had previously suggested that the 6ft 4in defender, while talented, would require a patient integration period to handle the Premier League’s physical intensity. However, just days after being recalled from his loan at Strasbourg, Sarr delivered a world-class performance in the FA Cup against Hull City, finishing the match with a 96% pass accuracy and 8 recoveries.
The youngster has demonstrated that his AFCON-winning experience with Senegal has prepared him for the elite level far sooner than Maresca’s tactical blueprint had predicted.
Although, the big test will come in the Premier League.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox