AFCON champion back in Chelsea?

On one side, there are nine clean sheets so far in the Premier League — a respectable achievement. However, the total number of goals Chelsea have conceded since the start of the season suggests that the Blues have the second-worst defense among the top five teams in the table (with Manchester United having the most porous one). That is why, at Stamford Bridge, they have decided to refresh the back line as the transfer window draws to a close.

And with a very familiar face. Mamadou Sarr could return to England. The Strasbourg centre-back has been in France since last June, where Chelsea sent him on loan as part of their close relationship with the Ligue 1 club (same owner, the BlueCo group led by Todd Boehly). Chelsea are so pleased with his development and progress that they believe he could immediately strengthen the squad of Liam Rosenior, who himself worked at Strasbourg until a few weeks ago, before being recalled by the Blues and promoted to replace the sacked Enzo Maresca. It was Rosenior who played a key role in the rise of the powerful defender, who in the meantime has also become an African champion, having recently won the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal after defeating Morocco in an unforgettable final.

“Sarr’s temperament, his athleticism, and the way he controls the ball suggest that he has everything needed to become a top-class centre-back,” Rosenior said when Mamadou was under his guidance.

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Now he wants him again, which is why Strasbourg fans are angry again. They have already lost their coach and could now lose the backbone of their defense as well, so they are understandably wary when reading the news — who knows whom Todd Boehly has also “set his sights on” at the sister club, given the massive player traffic between the two in recent years.

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At the moment, there is at least one obstacle to completing the deal. Chelsea want to send Aaron Anselmino in the opposite direction, to Alsace — the young Argentine they signed from Boca Juniors in June 2024 for around 17 million euros. Anselmino does not want to move to Ligue 1 and is currently blocking Sarr’s return. It is even more interesting that Chelsea already wanted to send the South American to France last season, but Liam Rosenior chose Sarr over him — and he was right. Mamadou Sarr is now Strasbourg’s captain, despite being only 20 years old. Strasbourg bought him from Lyon for 10 million euros in 2024 and then sold him to Chelsea the following summer for 14 million.

“He is one of the best defenders I have ever seen on a football pitch. His level of football is astonishing. He has everything it takes to grow into a monument of African football,” his current coach Gary O’Neil said recently, speaking highly of Sarr.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 24

Saturday

18.00: (1.90) Brighton (3.75) Everton (4.20)

18.00: (6.75) Leeds (4.25) Arsenal (1.55)

18.00: (3.15) Wolverhampton (3.50) Bournemouth (2.35)

20.30: (1.53) Chelsea (4.20) West Ham (6.25)

23.00: (1.85) Liverpool (4.00) Newcastle (4.20)

Sunday

17.00: (2.10) Aston Villa (3.50) Brentford (3.80)

17.00: (1.63) Man.Utd. (4.20) Fulham (5.00)

17.00: (2.00) Nott.Forest (3.40) Crystal Palace (3.90)

19.30: (4.60) Tottenham (4.20) Man.City (1.75)

Monday

23.00: (1.80) Sunderland (3.70) Burnley (4.90)

***odds are subject to change***