Mamadou Sarr has quickly settled back into life at Chelsea after returning from his loan at Strasbourg. His familiarity with his Blues team-mates, forged during the Club World Cup, has helped. As has the defender's relationship with head coach Liam Rosenior.
Sarr signed for Chelsea from Strasbourg in June and was part of the squad that triumphed at the Club World Cup. He made his Chelsea debut Stateside, in our victory over ES Tunis, before rejoining Strasbourg on loan in August.
Having continued to impress in France and winning the African Cup of Nations with Senegal, the decision was taken for Sarr to return to Stamford Bridge on the final day of the winter transfer window.
It hasn't taken the 20-year-old long to feel comfortable in his surroundings at Cobham. ‘I’m very happy to be here,’ Sarr explained after training at Cobham this week.
‘It was easy to come back because I know the guys, I know all the people, so it was easy. They are great players and it is exciting for me to be here.’
In addition to building relationships with many players within the squad at the Club World Cup, Sarr also has a close bond with Rosenior from their time together at Strasbourg.
It was a successful spell for the defender, who wore the captain’s armband on a number of occasions as he continued gaining valuable experience in Ligue 1.
‘I know Liam, he knows me,’ Sarr continued. ‘I know how he trains, I know how he prepares for the game. I know him very well. I think he’s a great coach.
‘I think I progressed a lot at Strasbourg because I was the vice-captain, so it was another responsibility there.
‘I felt great to be captain there, so that made me grow up from the experience. I prefer to lead by example. I don’t speak too much, I’m a very calm guy.’
However, one thing that has been new for Mamadou since returning to Chelsea has been the fierce competition in English football.
The Senegal international made his full debut for the Blues and his first appearance in English football during our 4-0 win over Hull City in the FA Cup fourth round.
It was a learning experience for centre-back, but he hopes it was just the start of what he can learn and achieve in this country with the Blues.
‘There is a lot of intensity, long balls,’ reflected Sarr when asked about his first start in England. ‘It was a tough game, but I was so happy to make my [full] debut for Chelsea. I hope I will play a lot of games here.
‘I just try to play a good game and be good on the pitch, because it’s all about that and winning trophies.
‘My goal is to win trophies here, play a lot of games and learn from my team-mates and the Premier League as well.’