Chelsea beat Tottenham at home in a 2-0 win, where Hakim Ziyech once again got on the scoresheet. The headlines would have been about him, but Malang Sarr was one to keep an eye on and performed well.
Primarily out of favour since he signed from Nice in 2020, his versatility may give him an opening into Thomas Tuchel’s side, as last night proved. A case of being around to take the opportunity handed to him at the right time.
Sarr can play both centre-back and left-back, being used in the latter position, with Marcos Alonso getting dropped for the game. Alonso has been filling in since Ben Chilwell’s injury, which will keep him out for some months still.
But, it's evident that Chelsea misses the wing-backs presence and creativity down the flanks he provided for the attackers. He also didn't mind getting on the scoresheet himself too.
Many fans aren't convinced by Alonso's ability to fill Chilwell's shoes, despite him keeping out the England international for a lot of games at the beginning of the season.
Since Chilwell’s injury, Chelsea has been linked with several left-backs and wing-backs to bring to the club in the January transfer window. Names include Sergino Dest, Borna Sosa has been strongly linked, as did Lucas Digne before moving to Aston Villa.
What’s the point of Chelsea spending money on a left-back when Chelsea already have an answer in that position with Sarr. In fact, that wonder strike from Ziyech all started with him.
A lovely ball controlled down and then swept along that left side started the play that would find the ball forwards and to Ziyech’s feet to unleash that wonderful striker to the top corner of Hugo Lloris’s goal.
The player who celebrated his birthday on the same day gave a solid performance that will give Tuchel something to think about. He’s got the attacking qualities that Chilwell brought on the pitch and now may get more minutes ahead of Alonso.
For a free transfer that Chelsea made a couple of years ago, he could be vital to the squad depth more than ever right now.
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