Antonio Rudiger made supporters aware that Malang Sarr is very similar to him when they step on the pitch for Chelsea.
Speaking to the club media, Rudiger announced that his fellow defender can dip into football’s dark arts like himself when required.
Rudiger the master puppeteer
Few know how to tread the line between naughty and nice better than the German international.
He is never far away from a bit of controversy, whether that be angering the opposition, enraging rival fans or riling up referees.
The 29-year-old does so with a gleam in his eye, enjoying every second of the drama.
His larger-than-life character makes him a joy to watch, but surely a nightmare to play against.
On the opposite end of the scale, Sarr is a more reserved figure, stepping out of the limelight where possible.
Some players of his age like to omit a sense of swagger and suave; the young Frenchman is happy to just go about life in an ordinary fashion.
However, Rudiger revealed his centre-back comrade also has a hidden persona that not many are away of.
“Something people don’t know about him, he is like me,” he said on Sarr’s secret devilish side.
“It’s not about the (dance) moves, it’s about the madness on the pitch. He is a soldier.”
Malang-ry when he wants to be
In fairness, Sarr has shown glimpses of the ‘soldier’ that Rudiger speaks about.
Away to Tottenham Hotspur in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final earlier this season, Chelsea’s 2020 summer recruit became well acquainted with Giovanni Lo Celso.
Lo Celso took particular offence to something his marker did in the first half.
As the Argentine angrily squared up ready for combat, Sarr simply laughed and jogged back into position.
Unsurprisingly, Lo Celso didn’t really trouble him for the rest of the evening.
Rudiger must’ve felt like a proud father in that instant.
Malang could easily become the next cult hero at Chelsea if he continues in the same manner.
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