Chelsea new boy Mamadou Sarr likes Virgil van Dijk – but says he is more like Ibrahima Konate.
Sarr, 19, arrived at Stamford Bridge this summer with a big reputation after a year learning under Liam Rosenior at Strasbourg.
France youth international Sarr has taken plenty of lessons from up-and-coming boss Rosenior who is in charge of one of Chelsea ’s family of clubs.
But Sarr says he has also watched plenty of Liverpool defenders van Dijk and Konate to learn from them as he looks to adapt to English football.
Sarr said: “I want to be like Virgil van Dijk. I love Van Dijk. But some people tell me I play like Ibrahima Konate. It’s very similar.
“Van Dijk is a leader. For a defender, it’s very important to be a leader. I think I’m like that. Off and on the pitch, I talk a lot. It’s an important job.
“I think I anticipate well. With the ball, I can pick a good pass. But I’ve come here to progress. When I was young, I had a dream to be the best centre back in the world.
“These are the best players in the world here. To work hard, work hard, work hard and when they think you are ready to play, you can play.”
Sarr has joined for £12million and has represented France at a raft of youth levels and is already being tipped to become a full international in the future.
The 6ft 4in defender is bright, enthusiastic and excited about his opportunity in the Premier League.
He learned of Chelsea ’s interest midway through last season and admits it was impossible to turn down the chance to play in England.
“I knew of some interest approximately in November, December,” said Sarr. “Then in January I had an idea that it was possible. When one of the biggest clubs comes to you, it is so exciting.”
Former Derby and Hull boss Rosenior, the ex-Brighton and Fulham defender, is gaining a huge reputation after his impressive work at Strasbourg.
Because of the link between the clubs, Rosenior must be catching the eye at Chelsea and he has also been quick to praise Sarr as a player with “physique and characteristics” to reach the very top.
Rosenior also won over Sarr with his calm approach, coaching style and desire to improve young players. Rosenior is convinced Sarr has the quality to become a mainstay in Chelsea ’s defence in the Premier League.
Sarr said: “When I was a kid, I had a dream and I trusted Liam Rosenior and he trusted me. He’s a top coach for me. He believed in me. He taught me a lot about how I can defend better, how I can help the team better.
“It’s very important to me – for me to train very well, to speak with the coach, to speak with every player, and to be confident in what I do.
“It’s good for me to have competition. That will help me to be a better defender. Chelsea want to be the best team in the world so we want to win.”
That fits with Sarr wanting to help Chelsea win the Club World Cup this summer as they started their campaign against Los Angeles FC on Monday and then play Flamengo on Friday.
Paris Saint Germain are probably the tournament favourites but Sarr believes Chelsea can compete with the newly-crowned European champions.
Sarr added: “I played PSG twice last year. They are a very good team. Chelsea is a very good team. They are like PSG. We can compete with them.
“There are a lot of similarities in the game and I think Chelsea can beat PSG. PSG won the Champions League. Chelsea can win.”
