Can Malang Sarr make the Chelsea squad as a rotational player?

Preseason training is usually the best time for fringe players to put their talents on display and impress the boss. This could not be more true this summer as Chelsea’s loanees get some extra alone time with Thomas Tuchel. A majority of the first team squad is still absent from training as they enjoy some much-needed time off following the European Championships. The players present at Cobham got some minutes under their belt during a closed door friendly versus Peterborough last week, and are now in Ireland for training camp in preparation for Tuesday’s friendly versus Bournemouth.

One of the names garnering a lot of attention early on is Malang Sarr. Sarr embarked on one of the best loan deals in the loan army (Porto) last season after joining the Blues on a free transfer from OGC Nice. It’s this top flight experience that has seen him become one of the talking points early in preseason, but can he manage to make the squad after just one loan?

Can Malang Sarr make Chelsea’s first team for the upcoming season?

If Sarr does manage to make it, it won’t be as a starter, at least not yet. Tuchel’s Champions League-winning three-man defense of Cesar Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva and Antonio Rudiger are all set to return next season. Further, Chelsea still has Andreas Christensen and Kurt Zouma on its books, as well. Sarr would be last in the pecking order, but given the fact the Blues have to play in six different competitions next season, he would still get plenty of matches as a back-up centerback.

One aspect of the Frenchman’s game that works in his favor is his positional flexibility. Sarr played in both a back three and a back four during his time at Nice in Ligue 1. He also played a bit of left back on top of his centerback experience. There is still no telling what formation Tuchel will use next season—if he even commits to one in particular—but Sarr’s versatility is a valuable asset to any side. This is especially true when one considers the uncertainty surrounding Rudiger’s future. If the German is set to depart following the upcoming campaign due to his expiring deal, Sarr represents a viable option to replace him on the left of Tuchel’s back three.

There is no rush to integrate the defender though. Sarr enjoyed his 22nd birthday in January and still has a lot of time left in his prime. That being said, it’s difficult to ignore somebody with this much experience this early in his career. Sarr was incredibly hit or miss with Porto last year, but his resume in France’s top division speaks for itself. By season’s end in Portugal, he was playing with Porto B, which sounds awful. However, he never played consistently in Primeira Liga. Instead the 22-year-old was preferred (and used semi-frequently) in the Champions League.

Whether or not Sarr makes Tuchel’s final Chelsea roster depends on a few things. First and foremost, his continued performance. The defender has started well this preseason, but spots in the side are not rewarded to those who simply come out of the gate firing. Sarr needs to continue to impress during the Blues’ friendlies. His future also depends on how those around him perform during the aforementioned showcase games. Cobham is a competitive place and there are plenty of defenders with their eye on that seemingly vacant role in the senior squad’s defensive depth chart. Sarr needs to rise above the rest in order to get a look. Lastly, the youngster’s immediate future depends on what Chelsea does in the transfer market. Centerback has been on the wish list for quite some time and the silence thus far is deafening. It’s rotten news to fans, Sarr will love the lack of business though as he attempts to make a dream move into Tuchel’s team.

Do you think Sarr could make the Blues’ squad? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!