Former Chelsea defender Malang Sarr has criticized Mauricio Pochettino, accusing the manager of dismissing his existence during their time together at Stamford Bridge.
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Sarr, who joined Chelsea in 2020 on a five-year deal, endured a frustrating stint at the club, making just 21 appearances before leaving for Ligue 1 side Lens this summer.
The 25-year-old Frenchman has made a strong start at Lens, helping his new club climb to eighth place in Ligue 1. However, he remains candid about the struggles he faced at Chelsea, particularly under Pochettino, who took over as manager in the summer of 2023.
The Snub
Sarr’s lowest moment came during a press conference in August 2023. Following Chelsea’s 3-0 victory over Luton Town, Pochettino was asked why Sarr and goalkeeper Jamie Cumming were absent from the squad. The manager’s reaction left fans stunned.
“Who?!” Pochettino responded with apparent confusion, before adding, “Oh my goodness, I don’t know what I can tell you. You surprised me! It’s like you punch and I am like this [shocked].”
Sarr later revealed that he was excluded from first-team training and relegated to working with the Under-21 squad for much of the 2023-24 season. Friends of the defender reportedly expressed concerns about his mental health during this period.
Sarr Speaks Out
Speaking to L’Equipe, Sarr described his experience as a low point in his career but expressed no regret about his time in England. Reflecting on Pochettino’s comments, he admitted, “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.”
Sarr also opened up about feeling sidelined through no fault of his own: “Was I a victim of the football business? That’s a big word, but yes, I paid the price. If this exclusion had been linked to my performances or the fact that I wasn’t a good person, I would have had to work on myself. But I experienced all that in spite of myself.”
Moving Forward
Now focused on his career at Lens, Sarr appears determined to rebuild his reputation and leave his Chelsea struggles behind. For the French defender, the future looks brighter as he aims to make a lasting impact in Ligue 1.
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