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MALANG SARR TO #CFC(Age - 21; Club - Nice)
Since a majority of #Chelsea fans (naturally) aren't too aware of the highly-rated French U21's playing credentials, this thread is going to dig deeper into the statistical side of things & determine the kind of player #MALANG is
CB Trait #1: Tackles -
Last season in the French league, the 21-yr-old appeared in 19 matches, making 16 starts. He overall attempted 20 tackles, winning 7 of them with a meager tackle success rate of 35% (not impressive for a CB).
Last season in the French league, the 21-yr-old appeared in 19 matches, making 16 starts. He overall attempted 20 tackles, winning 7 of them with a meager tackle success rate of 35% (not impressive for a CB).
This figure is significantly down from his 2018-19 performances where Malang then, as a 19 year old contested more tackles (52) & had a better success rate (46%)
CB Trait #2: Interceptions -
For a team sitting in 6th, Sarr's output of 34 clearances (1.8 per match) is solid but not eye-catching. The Frenchman further has managed to clear his lines 43 times in 19 games, again emphasizing that the player is very much a work in progress.
For a team sitting in 6th, Sarr's output of 34 clearances (1.8 per match) is solid but not eye-catching. The Frenchman further has managed to clear his lines 43 times in 19 games, again emphasizing that the player is very much a work in progress.
CB Trait #3: Dribbled Past -
You don't want your last line of defense to ever get dribbled past, but Sarr has been motored past 22 times this season! For context, the "Grandpa" #ThiagoSilva who plays in the same league & is much older was dribbled past 6 times (!!!!) in 2019-20
You don't want your last line of defense to ever get dribbled past, but Sarr has been motored past 22 times this season! For context, the "Grandpa" #ThiagoSilva who plays in the same league & is much older was dribbled past 6 times (!!!!) in 2019-20
CB Trait #4: Pressures -
No. of pressures essentially relates to how involved the defender is in pressing as a unit without the ball. So, for a young player, the figure of 119 pressures in total (around 7 a game) is a promising figure. However his pressure success% is low @ 29%
No. of pressures essentially relates to how involved the defender is in pressing as a unit without the ball. So, for a young player, the figure of 119 pressures in total (around 7 a game) is a promising figure. However his pressure success% is low @ 29%
CB Trait #5: Heading Ability -
Looking at #Chelsea's woes last season, it was clear that a commanding CB was an absolute must. However, standing at 182 cm (5'11), Malang Sarr is not your defensive behemoth, he is actually similar in stature to Azpi.
Looking at #Chelsea's woes last season, it was clear that a commanding CB was an absolute must. However, standing at 182 cm (5'11), Malang Sarr is not your defensive behemoth, he is actually similar in stature to Azpi.
In fact, the Frenchman contested for 24 aerial duels this season, winning 14 of them with a Success rate of 58% which is borderline good for a young, upcoming CB, but nowhere near being elite.
Even our shortest CB option, Azpi manages a solid 61% sucess rate with aerial duels.
Even our shortest CB option, Azpi manages a solid 61% sucess rate with aerial duels.
CB Trait #6: Discipline -
For a young CB, Malang Sarr to his credit does have a cool head, reflected by a figure of 2 yellow cards in 19 games! The youngster committed just 8 fouls in total & in fact had drawn 10 fouls from the opponent. The youngster didn't concede a pen too!
For a young CB, Malang Sarr to his credit does have a cool head, reflected by a figure of 2 yellow cards in 19 games! The youngster committed just 8 fouls in total & in fact had drawn 10 fouls from the opponent. The youngster didn't concede a pen too!
CB Trait #7: Passing -
Finally to some actually mouth-watering stuff, the Mice defender is comfortable on the ball, as shown by his figure of 55 passes p.g., with an impressive completion rate of 91% (great for a youngster).
His long passes too find the target 83% of the time!
Finally to some actually mouth-watering stuff, the Mice defender is comfortable on the ball, as shown by his figure of 55 passes p.g., with an impressive completion rate of 91% (great for a youngster).
His long passes too find the target 83% of the time!
CB Trait #8: Goal Threat -
Malang Sarr, the left-footed CB has scored 1 goal last season, with no assists, so don't expect him to be a Ramos type figure for the #Chelsea squad anytime soon.
Malang Sarr, the left-footed CB has scored 1 goal last season, with no assists, so don't expect him to be a Ramos type figure for the #Chelsea squad anytime soon.
Final Verdict:
As we have established, Malang Sarr is a young, left-footed central def who is very much a work is progress & who isn't likely to fix our defensive woes straight away. Still, a good purchase considering his 0 transfer fee. The guy is rated highly by his peers too.
As we have established, Malang Sarr is a young, left-footed central def who is very much a work is progress & who isn't likely to fix our defensive woes straight away. Still, a good purchase considering his 0 transfer fee. The guy is rated highly by his peers too.
END OF THREATRTs massively appreciated
