One player who featured for Chelsea during their recent Club World Cup campaign is now set for a season away from Stamford Bridge on loan.
Enzo Maresca made sure he used as many of his squad as possible for the competition due to the extreme conditions that faced his side at the end of a gruelling domestic season.
The Blues went on to win the competition, and while Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro grabbed the headlines, it was good to see Andrey Santos handed important minutes in the final.
The Brazilian proved himself during a loan spell at Strasbourg, becoming club captain and arguably the Ligue 1 side’s most important player during his time there.
Chelsea Club World Cup winner Mamadou Sarr to join Strasbourg on loan
Another of their impressive youngsters was Mamadou Sarr, and he clearly left an impact on those at Stamford Bridge, and the Blues completed a deal to sign him.
With staff at Chelsea raving about Sarr, it was expected that he could be part of the first team squad for the upcoming season, however that has now proven not to be the case.
Fabrizio Romano has claimed that the youngster is set for a season back at Strasbourg on loan after signing his eight-year contract with his new club.
He said: “Strasbourg agree deal to sign Mamadou Sarr on loan from Chelsea, the defender is back to the club.
“After signing 8 year deal at Chelsea, Sarr returns to Strasbourg on loan as key part of Rosenior plans for upcoming season with top 5 ambitions in Ligue 1. Here we go.”
The centre-back is not going to be the only Blues player who plays for the French club next season. Mike Penders will join Strasbourg, and it is expected that Kendry Paez will join them too.
Enzo Maresca has already given Chelsea fans warning about Sarr
Despite making his debut for his new club during the Club World Cup, his new manager seemed to hand out a warning about where he was at in terms of his development.
Maresca hinted Sarr would need time to adapt before he was ready for regular minutes for Chelsea, and he is going to get some experience of European football next season with Strasbourg.
The Ligue 1 side qualified for the Conference League, and will be looking to follow Chelsea’s exploits in the 2024/25 season by going on to win the competition.
Sarr is going to play a key role in this, with the hope being that like Santos, he is ready for regular opportunities from the campaign afterwards.
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