Chelsea yesterday announced the signing of key RC Strasbourg defender Mamadou Sarr, and while his age means he is not even close to entering his peak, his performances suggest a player who is good, while still having a lot to learn. The Premier League is different from other leagues, but not for the reasons many think.
The Premier League's intensity is a factor many fans don't consider when evaluating new arrivals. Sarr is young. This might seem insignificant in an era where a 17-year-old might be the best in the world, but it’s not likely to be.
The former Strasbourg defender will face more scrutiny than he may expect, especially given how chaotic Chelsea’s centre-back situation was last season. Trevoh Chalobah, who had been loaned to Crystal Palace in August, had to be recalled.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca used several centre-backs, including Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Chalobah, all of whom made more than 10 starts. Due to form, injuries, and other factors, the Blues rarely had a settled central defensive partnership, suggesting Maresca was not fully satisfied with his options.
How likely is Mamadou Sarr to be a success at Chelsea?
None of the defenders mentioned excelled in their passing, not even Tosin, who is typically known for it. Interestingly, they all averaged over 90% passing accuracy, but none averaged above 50% in long passing accuracy. Considering Chelsea maintained a healthy share of possession last season, those long passing numbers are poor.
Their aerial stats were also underwhelming, particularly given their height. Ironically, the best in the air last season was Fofana (68%), despite being the shortest among them. Colwill, Chalobah, and Tosin all managed around 60%, which is not impressive, especially for Tosin who stands at 1.96m (6 ft 5 in).
Sarr was better than Chelsea’s current centre-backs in some areas, but fell short in others. He was a key player for Strasbourg, starting 27 of the 34 league matches, and helped his team qualify for European competition in the 2025/26 season. At just 19, he has plenty of time to improve, and if he maintains his strengths while developing his weaknesses, the Blues could have a world-class centre-back on their hands in a few years.
Sarr's passing last season, both short and long, was outstanding. He averaged nearly 60 passes per game at an impressive 94% accuracy, with a 54% success rate in long passes. His reading of the game was on par with Chelsea’s centre-backs, but his aerial success rate was significantly lower at 50%, which is concerning considering he stands at 1.94m (6 ft 5 in), according to FBref.
However, his aerial struggles are not cause for alarm. Yet. He’s young and still learning. His tackling was excellent, winning 88% of his duels, according to Sofascore.
The young Frenchman is more likely to be loaned out rather than play immediately for Chelsea. But if he does feature, fan support will be crucial in helping him adapt to the demands of English football. Manchester City’s young defender Abdukodir Khusanov made a high-profile error that led to a goal against Chelsea last season, but his teammates and coach rallied around him to restore his confidence.
This is the kind of pressure young centre-backs in the Premier League face. The intensity is high, and it can disorient inexperienced players, especially those in reactive positions like central defence.
So how likely is Sarr to be a success? Very likely, as long as he improves his aerial technique. Height is no advantage if it isn’t used effectively in both boxes. The youngster is clearly excellent in possession and reads the game well, especially for a 19-year-old.