Mamadou Sarr, a 21-year-old Senegalese center-back, joined Real Sociedad on loan from Chelsea this summer. He will face his former club Olympique Lyonnais in the Europa League. In an interview with L'Équipe, Sarr spoke about his difficult spell at Chelsea.
What does returning to Olympique Lyonnais mean to you?
Sarr: It will definitely be a special match. Olympique Lyonnais is where I've spent the longest time in my life (six years), and my family lives there. It's my boyhood club, the club in my heart. I had a great time there, made my professional debut, and won the Gambardella Cup. When the draw was made, this was the match I was most looking forward to.
You will also reunite with Niakhate.
Sarr: In football, he's like a big brother to me, and he's also a friend off the pitch. When I wasn't playing at Olympique Lyonnais, he was the first to look after me. He also welcomed me into the national team. He cares about young players and knows how to talk to them. He helped me a lot mentally too, especially during my difficult period at Chelsea. Those phone calls with him did me a lot of good.
Difficult Years at Chelsea
Tell us about your first few months at Chelsea.
Sarr: That period was really tough, with many ups and downs. I had just come back from the Africa Cup of Nations and was still full of joy. Then I started getting playing time and played a few good games, but the Paris Saint-Germain match (Champions League Round of 16 second leg, a 3-0 defeat for Chelsea after a 5-2 loss in the first leg) came quickly, and I made that mistake.
After that, everything stopped. No news, no movement. The first week was terrible, especially dealing with the criticism from outside. Rosenior, who had brought me to Chelsea, was also dismissed soon afterward.
It was really hard not being able to do what I was used to, just sitting on the bench watching my teammates play. It was especially hard because no one gave me any explanation. Before the World Cup, I initially thought I would get playing time, but because I lacked match rhythm, I ended up not playing.
How did you overcome that low point?
Sarr: By training hard, trying to put football aside for a while, changing my environment and mindset, and with the support of my family. A psychological coach also helped me ease the impact of that experience. Without his help, I would probably be in a much worse place now.
The problem at Chelsea was that there were too many players in the squad, especially in my position. When you miss one train, the next one may not come for a long time.
Do you regret leaving Strasbourg so young, in the middle of the season, to join Chelsea?
Sarr: When a club like that comes for you, and the person contacting you is the coach who managed you at Strasbourg and tells you personally, "I want you," not many people would refuse.
I always believed I had the ability for that level. For a while, things just didn't go as expected, which is an inevitable part of a professional career. I told myself that I had to endure this experience, that it would teach me things, help me avoid repeating mistakes, and make me more careful in future choices. It made me stronger and became a motivation to keep moving forward.
A New Start at Real Sociedad
You are now doing much better at Real Sociedad and have become a key player.
Sarr: I feel alive again. At that time, I had to be patient and find the best way to leave. I had a huge desire to play, a very, very strong one, with only one thing on my mind: playing football.
I came here to get back playing time, rebuild my confidence, and experience a new style of football. Now I have a coach who is willing to play me, and I am working hard to repay his trust. I've found a bit of the Olympique Lyonnais feeling here again. This is a club with high competitive standards, a strong family atmosphere, and a willingness to trust young players. It couldn't suit me better.
What has your experience at Chelsea given you?
Sarr: When you train and play with top-level players, you naturally try to learn from your teammates and copy their habits. For example, eating healthily, getting enough sleep, and having your own chef, physiotherapist, fitness coach, and video analyst. Ultimately, it's about learning to invest in yourself and striving to reach a higher level.
Because, honestly, we are a product. I really don't want to go through what I experienced at Chelsea again, nor do I want to have regrets at the end of my career. You have to work hard for your goals. If it doesn't work out in the end, that's fine, because at least I gave it everything.
Career Goals
What are your ambitions for the future?
Sarr: To reach the highest level. I want to be the best center-back in the world. To do that, I have to be diligent and pay attention to detail. Every detail matters.
Any other goals?
Sarr: To win all the biggest trophies: the World Cup, the Champions League. Why not this year's Europa League? Football is about winning. If it's not about winning, what's the point of playing?