Benoit Badiashile’s January Chelsea move has benefitted Blues loanee Malang Sarr, according to AS Monaco manager Philippe Clement.
Sarr, who was part of Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea squad last season, joined Monaco on a season-long loan last summer.
The move was to help him play regularly after playing a very limited role at Chelsea under Tuchel.
Unfortunately for the 24-year-old, the loan spell has not gone as well as he would have liked.
He has only made 12 appearances for Monaco this season, and only seven of those were as a starter.
Aside from his underwhelming season, the arrival of Kalidou Koulibaly in the summer and Benoit Badiashile in January at Chelsea mean a Stamford Bridge return has become even more unlikely for Sarr.
Interestingly, Badiasihle’s Chelsea move also has a positive impact on Sarr’s season.
“For Malang, it is a good opportunity and he has shown good things in recent weeks,” Clement told Get French Football News.
“We have been training for months with Malang.
“It’s not that because you see him little in matches that he’s doing nothing here.
“There is competition here and I am very happy about that, but [at the start] it was difficult for him to get into the team with Maripan, Disasi and Badiashile competing for two spots.
“Without Benoit, there is less competition, and he can profit from that.”
This may actually be more beneficial than harmful for Sarr.
Returning to Chelsea was always unlikely for the French defender, but now at least he may be able to convince Monaco to activate the option to sign him permanently or at least attracts interest from other clubs.
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