Chelsea are closing in on the signing of French centre-back Malang Sarr, who is currently a free agent, and last played for Nice. The 21-year-old defender’s contract with the French club expired this summer.
As per Daily Mail, the Blues are ready to offer Sarr a four-year deal, and he will have a medical soon. Sarr, a France U21 international, made over 110 appearances for Nice’s senior team. Malang Sarr came through the ranks at Nice, having joined the club when he was six.
The 21-year-old centre-back has made 8 appearances for the France U21 team but is yet to play for the senior side.
Malang Sarr: Where will he fit in at Chelsea?
Everything points to us seeing a new-look Chelsea side in the upcoming season. The Blues have been very active in the transfer market, in a way, compensating for the transfer ban last year. Chelsea have already secured the signings of Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner, while they’re closing in on the signature of former PSG captain Thiago Silva, Leicester City left-back Ben Chilwell, as well as German sensation Kai Havertz.
These signings will make the Blues sensational while going forward, but the issues that existed in the 2019-20 campaign, i.e. in the defence, have yet to be sorted out. The potential signings of Silva and Chilwell could remedy a few of the issues in the backline, but it is to be seen whether Lampard feels that way, with only the right-back position looking sorted.
Malang Sarr could be an interesting signing for Chelsea. The 21-year-old centre back is a highly-rated defender, and one of the most promising young centre-backs in Europe. The left-footed defender is quick and strong and presses forward to make interceptions and tackles at every opportunity. Capable of playing as a centre back or left-back, Sarr is good in one-on-one situations while defending.
He also likes to bring the ball out from the back and is not afraid to dribble out of danger. If Chelsea do sign Malang Sarr, he could potentially be a third/fourth-choice centre back, who could also give Lampard options at left-back, a position which could see some major chopping and changing in the coming weeks. The Frenchman’s versatility could be a boon for Lampard as the centre-back and left-back slots have been an issue over the last 2-3 seasons.
Malang Sarr may not be the first-choice option for Lampard, but he will add depth to the Chelsea defence and could be a decent option with an eye on the future if his development trajectory is satisfactory. Thiago Silva is not a long-term option and if the Blues desist from signing a big name central defender this window, a combination of Thiago’s experience and the addition of a young prospect along with the available options could do the job for Lampard in the coming season.
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