Lens’ Malang Sarr having ‘best season’ of his career | OneFootball

Two years ago, Malang Sarr was the forgotten man at Chelsea, even by his own manager, Mauricio Pochettino, who did not recognise the defender’s name when asked a question about him during a press conference. 

Sarr admitted that he was hurt by that snub and equally hurt by the trajectory of his career since leaving formative club OGC Nice. The centre-back made the move to Stamford Bridge back in 2020 but at that point, he was simply a prospect. 

Loan spells at FC Porto and then AS Monaco did not get his career back on track and he subsequently left in 2024 when his contract was terminated by mutual consent. He joined RC Lens on a free transfer, although, by and large, his form was middling in his opening season. 

This season, however, he has become a key member of Lens’ back line as they look to pip Paris Saint-Germain to the Ligue 1 title. Sarr now has ambitions to go to the upcoming World Cup, not with France, whom he represented at youth level, but by Senegal. 

He could receive his first call-up this month. “At 27, I might be having the best season of my career,” he told Téléfoot. On an international call-up, he added, “It would be beautiful to play for Senegal.”

GFFN | Luke Entwistle