Given that he’s played just five games in all competitions this season – and once in the Premier League – the reaction to Malang Sarr’s potential Chelsea exit might have taken you by surprise.
After all, the former France U21 international has Antonio Rudiger, Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christiansen, Tiago Silva and Trevoh Chalobah ahead of him in Thomas Tuchel’s pecking order.
The problem is, however, that three of the aforementioned quintet will be free agents come June.
Azpilicueta and Christiansen are yet to agree new contracts while Tuchel himself admitted this week that Rudiger’s own situation is becoming a cause for major ‘concern’ (Metro).
Should all three depart, that would leave the reigning European champions with just two centre-halves. 37-year-old Tiago Silva and a player who was expected to join West Brom on loan just six months ago.
Suddenly, you can see why many a Chelsea fan wants Sarr to stay – if only to provide some much-needed back-up should things go south.
Will Malang Sarr leave Chelsea for West Ham?
Fortunately, Sarr is in no rush to leave despite his lack of minutes in Chelsea blue.
According to FootMercato, the one-time Nice wonderkid is happy to stay and fight for his place, even if more regular opportunities would be forthcoming at West Ham United and Watford.
Claudio Ranieri’s Watford are conceding goals at an alarming rate, losing nine of their last 11 games.
West Ham boss David Moyes, meanwhile, has confirmed that the Hammers are in the market for defensive reinforcements too after losing both Kurt Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna to long-term injuries.
West Ham have just two fit and available senior centre-halves with 20-year-old Aji Alese now elevated to third-choice.
Given that the Londoners are looking to compete on multiple fronts, competing for a top-four place while progressing in the Europa League, this is far from an ideal situation.
“We’ve picked up a few injuries to some defenders,” Moyes told The Mail.
‘So I think it will mean that we have to start maybe considering looking for a defender if possible.”
With Sarr content to stick around, however, it is West Ham – rather than Chelsea – staring a mid-season defensive crisis in the face.
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