Chelsea: Mamadou Sarr looks back on a particularly difficult period

Mamadou Sarr's time at Chelsea left a bitter taste for the Senegalese defender. Returning prematurely to London after his loan spell at Strasbourg, the 21-year-old never managed to find his place at Chelsea. It was a trying experience, both on and off the pitch, as he revealed in an interview with the French sports daily L'Équipe.

Signed from Strasbourg in the summer of 2025 before being immediately loaned back to the Alsatian club, the Senegalese international was ultimately recalled by Chelsea a few months later. This decision was made at the initiative of Liam Rosenior, former Strasbourg coach, who had just taken charge of the London club.

But his reunion with the Blues quickly turned into a disappointment. Despite seven appearances in a Chelsea shirt, Mamadou Sarr never managed to establish himself in the team. He took this situation particularly hard, especially after a mistake he made during a 3-0 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain.

“It was really complicated, a real rollercoaster. I was coming back from the AFCON and I was on cloud nine. I started playing, having good games, but then the one against PSG (0-3) and that mistake happened quickly. And then nothing. No sign of life,” he said.

The defender also explained that he had suffered from criticism and a lack of communication with the coaching staff. The swift departure of Liam Rosenior, the very man who had wanted him back at Chelsea, further complicated his situation.

"The first week was horrible, with all the criticism and everything. And Liam Rosenior, who brought me in, was also quickly dismissed... Not being able to do your job anymore, staying on the bench watching your teammates play, it was hard to take. Especially without any explanation," he lamented.

This difficult period also impacted his international career. While he had hoped to participate in the World Cup, his lack of playing time and match fitness ultimately cost him a place on the field.

Now far from London, Mamadou Sarr seems to have rediscovered his smile. His loan to Real Sociedad allows him to start afresh and get playing time, but above all, the joy of playing, after a London experience he now prefers to leave behind.