Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel addresses possibility of deploying Malang Sarr at left-wing back
According to football.london, Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel addressed questions over centre-back Malang Sarr being the solution for the Blues at left wing-back. The German was talking to the media following the club’s win over Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup semifinal.
The Frenchman played as a left full-back in the cup tie against Spurs and kept a clean sheet against the North London side. Tuchel opted to play four at the back instead of his preferred three-man defence and it worked well on the night.
When asked about Sarr’s performance and whether the German coach saw the young defender as a solution at left wing-back given Chelsea’s injury crisis, Tuchel hailed the player’s versatility to do a role in any defensive formation.
“We did not play wing-backs but for me, he can play a full back in the position like today. He can play centre-back and in the left position of a back three. That’s where he is at the moment, he deserves to play.”
Tuchel also suggested that the defender just needs to work hard and stay humble to further his development at Chelsea. The 22-year-old has shown flashes of his talent but will need to improve to break into the Blues’ first team.
With last night’s cup tie, Sarr has added another clean sheet to his tally. The former Nice man has primarily been used by Chelsea in the Carabao Cup fixtures this season. He has also featured once each in the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.
Tuchel insists that the centre-back does not need anything more to improve his form, and said the player’s consistency and solidity at the back are just what the team needs.
“Nothing more. There is no need for further promotion, he is doing good, he is solid and he is consistent and that is what we need.”
Sarr has been one of our best performers in the Carabao Cup this season, picking up multiple clean sheets and putting in excellent displays in defence. Despite our injury concerns, the likes of Sarr have helped steer us to the final in Wembley next month. The defender has also shown his flexibility, slotting into a three-man defence or lining up with four at the back.
Despite his consistent showings in the League Cup, Tuchel has not tried using Sarr often in the Premier League this season, preferring to pick other senior defenders instead. Even in his sole appearance for us in the league, Sarr kept a clean sheet, further cementing his claim as a player to watch out for.
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Sarr has been continuously linked away from Stamford Bridge this January, and the Frenchman may just be tempted to take up one of the offers in a bid to gain more first-team minutes.
We would certainly be missing out on a young talent if Sarr is allowed to leave, with the defender earmarked as one for the future.
