Forgotten Chelsea Defender terminates contract and joins new club

Malang Sarr, a fringe defender at Chelsea, has finally ended his unproductive spell at the club after terminating his contract. The 25-year-old Frenchman is set to join RC Lens in Ligue 1.

Sarr arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2020 on a free transfer from OGC Nice. Despite signing a five-year deal, he struggled to break into the first team, making only eight Premier League appearances in two seasons.

Loan Spell and Return to Uncertainty:

Sarr spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Monaco, hoping for a fresh start upon his return to Chelsea under new manager Mauricio Pochettino. However, things took a turn for the worse. Pochettino reportedly seemed unfamiliar with Sarr during a press conference, and the defender was relegated to training with the under-21s for the entire season.

Failed Loan and Contract Termination:

Chelsea attempted to find Sarr a new club in February, trying to secure a loan move to Le Havre in Ligue 1. Unfortunately, the deal fell through, leaving Sarr's future at Chelsea uncertain. With a hefty reported salary of £100,000 per week, Sarr's situation became a burden for both parties.

New Beginning at RC Lens:

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Sarr grew frustrated with the lack of opportunities and initiated talks to terminate his contract. After reaching an agreement with Chelsea, Sarr is set to join RC Lens, pending a medical.

RC Lens: A New Challenge:

RC Lens emerged as a surprise package in the Champions League last season, defeating Arsenal at home in the group stage. Though they ultimately finished third and dropped into the Europa League, Lens displayed their potential. They will now compete in the Europa Conference League after finishing seventh in Ligue 1 last term. Sarr will hope to reignite his career under manager Will Still at the ambitious French club.