Malang Sarr’s Chelsea Nightmare Ends with Move to RC Lens

Chelsea’s forgotten defender, Malang Sarr, has officially ended his tumultuous time at Stamford Bridge by completing a move to RC Lens. The 25-year-old’s stint at Chelsea has been far from successful, culminating in an exit that many saw coming.

Sarr’s Unfulfilled Promise at Chelsea

When Chelsea signed Malang Sarr on a free transfer in 2020, the move was hailed as a masterstroke. Sarr, who had made a name for himself at his hometown club Nice in Ligue 1, seemed poised to break into the France national team. However, what looked like a promising acquisition quickly turned into a tale of unfulfilled potential.

Sarr’s time at Chelsea saw him make only 21 appearances for the club. Despite being fit for the entirety of last season, he did not feature in a single competitive match for the Blues since May 2022. His journey at Chelsea was marked by loan spells to Porto and Monaco, but he never managed to secure a place in the first team upon his returns.

Chelsea and Sarr: A Mismatch

Both Chelsea and Sarr soon realised that their partnership was not working out. Despite his early promise, Sarr struggled to make an impact at Stamford Bridge. The situation became so dire that ahead of the 2023/24 season, then-head coach Mauricio Pochettino appeared to be unaware of Sarr’s presence at the club when questioned about his future.

In January, there was a glimmer of hope for Sarr when Le Havre expressed interest in bringing him back to Ligue 1. However, Chelsea failed to finalise the paperwork before the transfer deadline, leading to a collapse in the deal. This mishap prompted an angry response from Le Havre and forced Sarr to return to England, further prolonging his Chelsea nightmare.

Sarr Joins RC Lens

Now, Sarr has finally secured his exit from Chelsea. The Blues agreed to terminate his contract, allowing him to join RC Lens. This move sees Sarr return to the French top-flight, where he hopes to rejuvenate his career.

RC Lens, the 2023 Ligue 1 runners-up, present an intriguing challenge for Sarr. The club has lost its coaching mastermind, Franck Haise, to Nice and is considered a bit of an unknown quantity for the upcoming season. Sarr’s debut for Lens will mark his first competitive game of football since playing for loan side Monaco in a 1-0 loss to Stade Reims on March 12, 2023.

A Fresh Start for Sarr

Sarr’s move to RC Lens represents a fresh start for the versatile defender. At just 25 years old, he still has plenty of time to rediscover the form that once made him one of France’s most promising young defenders. His time at Chelsea may have been marked by disappointment, but his talent and potential remain unquestionable.

Lens will be hoping that Sarr can add solidity to their defence as they look to build on their impressive 2023 campaign. For Sarr, this move is an opportunity to prove his doubters wrong and showcase his abilities on a big stage once again.

Malang Sarr’s departure from Chelsea marks the end of a difficult chapter in his career. While his time at Stamford Bridge was far from successful, his move to RC Lens offers him a chance to start afresh and fulfil his potential. As he returns to Ligue 1, all eyes will be on Sarr to see if he can turn his career around and become the player many once believed he could be.

With a new challenge ahead and a point to prove, Malang Sarr’s journey continues. Chelsea may not have been the right fit for him, but RC Lens could be the perfect place for the defender to finally find his footing and shine.