Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior is reportedly pushing the club to recall defender Mamadou Sarr from his loan spell at Strasbourg immediately, as the Blues look to bolster their defensive options for the second half of the season.
Rosenior Makes Sarr Recall a Priority
According to reports from RMC Sport, Rosenior has made bringing the 20-year-old Senegalese star back to Stamford Bridge a priority. This move comes as Chelsea continue to fight on multiple fronts, including domestic and European competitions, and seek to strengthen their backline.
Sarr initially joined Chelsea in a £12 million deal last summer, after a successful loan spell at Strasbourg in the previous season. He was part of the Chelsea squad that won the Club World Cup but returned to the French club on loan for the 2025-26 campaign.
Chelsea's Defensive Needs and Transfer Talks
Chelsea have been actively looking to reinforce their defence this January transfer window. The club has been in negotiations to sign Rennes centre-half Jeremy Jacquet from Ligue 1, but talks have stalled due to an inability to agree on a fee, with Rennes determined to retain their prized asset until the end of the season.
With the Jacquet deal proving difficult, attention has turned to terminating Sarr's loan early. This strategic shift highlights Rosenior's urgency to integrate Sarr into the squad promptly, potentially giving him a significant role in the coming months.
Potential Squad Reshuffle and Player Dynamics
In a related move, Chelsea recently recalled Aaron Anselmino from his loan at Borussia Dortmund. There is speculation that Anselmino could be sent to Strasbourg as a replacement for Sarr, facilitating a smooth transition for both clubs.
Sarr, who played a key role in Senegal's Africa Cup of Nations victory, would reunite with Andrey Santos at Chelsea. Santos excelled on loan at Strasbourg last season and has remained with Chelsea this term, making 27 appearances. Sarr will aim to emulate this success, with opportunities available in Chelsea's defence due to injuries and squad rotation.
Injury Updates and Managerial Insights
Defensive voids have emerged at Chelsea, particularly after Levi Colwill suffered an ACL injury in August. While initially expected to miss the entire season, Rosenior provided a positive update, stating that Colwill is progressing well in his rehabilitation and could still contribute this campaign.
Rosenior emphasised the importance of player health, saying, "I don't like putting timeframes on injuries because I think it puts unnecessary pressure on players where their health is the most important thing." Meanwhile, Trevoh Chalobah has impressed this season, but additional depth is needed to sustain Chelsea's competitive challenges.
This potential recall underscores Rosenior's proactive approach to squad management, as he seeks to optimise Chelsea's resources for a strong finish to the season.
