Forgotten former Chelsea star reveals Mauricio Pochettino tried to sign him before awkward ‘who’s that’ comment
FORMER Chelsea defender Malang Sarr has criticised Mauricio Pochettino for “forgetting” his name while he was at the club.
The 25-year-old moved to Stamford Bridge in 2020 but made just eight Premier League appearances in four years.
His last outing for the Blues came on the final day of the 2021-22 season – when Thomas Tuchel was still in charge.
Sarr did not even train with the first team when Pochettino was at the helm.
As a result, the manager claimed he did not know who the defender was last summer.
Asked in a press conference about the Sarr’s future, Poch replied: “Who?”
But the Frenchman hit back in a recent interview, claiming Pochettino did know who he was.
He even claimed the manager tried to sign him for Tottenham during his time at White Hart Lane.
Sarr told L’Equipe: “I took it badly. It shouldn’t have happened. He knew me.
“He even tried to sign me at Tottenham. I didn’t ask for an explanation.”
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The centre-back had his Chelsea contract terminated in July.
He subsequently joined RC Lens in a free transfer.
Chelsea player ratings vs Leicester
By Graham Hill
CHELSEA survived a late Leicester fightback to win 2-1 at the King Power Stadium.
SunSport’s Graham Hill rated each of the players in action.
Robert Sanchez – 6
He had a few shaky moments playing out from the back, which gave Leicester hope of getting back into the game before the break, but he will not be happy to have missed out on a clean sheet in stoppage time.
Wesley Fofana – 7
Booed on his second return to Leicester – but he refused to let it unsettle him, the fans could not put him off producing an assured display in the Chelsea defence.
Benoit Badiashile – 7
Controlled display at the back, he showed some superb vision at times but, apart from a spell in the first half, he was rarely troubled.
Levi Colwill – 7
Cool, calm and collected in defence – even when Leicester threatened to get back on level terms. A controlled second half display helped keep the Foxes at bay.
Marc Cucurella – 7
Looked a threat out left going forward and created some of Chelsea’s best opportunities of the game – including their second goal and he knew how to frustrate Leicester when he needed to.
Moises Caicedo – 8
Booked for dissent at a time when Leicester almost came back into it, but kept his head to make sure Chelsea stayed firmly in command of the game.
Enzo Fernandez – 8
Set up Jackson’s goal and is making a habit of providing key assists – this was fifth in his last three games.
Headed number two from close range for good measure.
Noni Madueke – 7
Brought an excellent first half save from Mads Hermansen – who then stopped him scoring Chelsea’s second before the break.
Blocked a certain Palmer goal though.
Cole Palmer – 8
Got some unwanted attention midway through the first half after a terrible challenge from Wilfred Ndidi – hit Maduke when he should have scored, otherwise he was excellent.
Joao Felix – 6
Peppered some shots in early on and proved a thorn in Leicester’s side, but drifted in and out of the game despite being part of a dominant Chelsea display.
Nicolas Jackson – 7
The opening goal – his seventh of the season – rounded off a powerful run and clinical finish after some help from Fernandez in the build-up. Also had a hand in Chelsea’s second.
Subs
Chris Nkunku: for Joao Felix 81mins – 6
Romeo Lavia: for Caicedo 81 mins – 5
Jadon Sancho: for Maduke 84mins – 6
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall: for Jackson 90 + 1mins – 5