Sarr has been extremely versatile, occupying many positions in the defensive third, including playing on the left side of a back three.
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Chelsea defender Malang Sarr started his second Premier League game at the weekend and his fourth in a row for the Blues in all competitions. With more minutes under his belt, the 22-year-old is continuing to look at home for the Stamford Bridge outfit. However, the reason behind him starting the matches is also due to the injuries to other defensive players that have forced Thomas Tuchel’s hand in recent weeks. This has also made him change his formation on some occasions, as he switched to a back four for both legs of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur.
Sarr has been extremely versatile, occupying many positions in the defensive third, including playing on the left side of a back three. He was also part of the team that lost 1-0 against Manchester City at the Etihad on Saturday. “On an individual level it was satisfying but I always like to go home with a clean sheet and a victory, so personally, yes, it went okay, but that’s not what I am looking for,” said the Frenchman, as per their club’s website.
“I want to give everything for the team and help us not concede goals. I try to be the best I can to help the squad, to feel comfortable. If I need to play on the side, I will. If I need to play as a three in the back, I will. No matter what I’m ready to help the team achieve our goals, to be good on the pitch and to perform. It’s a high-level team. I need to bring this level, play hard and be the best I can.”
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A defeat against Manchester City on Saturday has left Chelsea 13 points behind reigning Premier League champions. “The result will make it harder, but it was not a final, there are still lots of games left and points to fight for. The league is very long,” Sarr explained.
“I have confidence in the group and the capacity of our team, and I have no doubt we will battle until the end. It’s really possible we can recover ground.”
Even though Chelsea lost, manager Thomas Tuchel was all praise for his players for showing the effort or desire to fight for the team despite the continuing problems caused by their teammates being absent through injury and Covid. “I love the ambition and I love the attitude and I love the hunger with which we are playing,” Tuchel was quoted as saying by their club’s website. “We are still brave and we are still up for a good fight and you can trust anybody that you put on the pitch. It is a pleasure to be on the sideline.
“It makes a difference if as a player you have to fight every single day for your place, every single match for your place, and this is not the case in our team for too long. If you have a negative Covid test and you’re fit and you’re not injured, you have a huge chance to be in the line-up. For that I give huge credit and for me it is proof how good the attitude and the mentality is in our team and in our club.”
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