New Chelsea signing Mamadou Sarr has said he hopes to match Virgil van Dijk’s Premier League legacy as he aims to realise his childhood dream of becoming the world’s best centre-back.
The France youth international, 19, joined the Blues from sister club Strasbourg in a £12million transfer earlier this month.
He was immediately named in Chelsea’s travelling squad for the Club World Cup but is yet to appear at the competition, remaining on the bench as the Blues beat LAFC 2-0 in their opening fixture. A first appearance could come on Friday, as the Blues meet Brazilian side Flamengo in Philadelphia.
Ahead of a potential debut, he made a surprise statement as he cited Liverpool captain Van Dijk as a source of inspiration, highlighting his leadership as an enviable quality.
“I want to be like Virgil van Dijk,” he declared. “He's a leader. For a defender, it's very important to be a leader. Off and on the pitch, I talk a lot. It's an important job.”
He conceded, though, that his style of play more closely resembles that of another Liverpool star in Ibrahima Konate thanks to his knack for distribution.
"I love Van Dijk. But some people tell me I play like Ibrahima Konaté. It's very similar. I think I anticipate well. With the ball, I can pick a good pass.
"When I was a kid, I had a dream. It was to be the best centre back in the world."
Van Dijk played in all but one of Liverpool’s matches as they cruised to the Premier League title last season, winning with four games to spare and a 10-point cushion.
On signing, Sarr told Chelsea’s website that he hoped to do the same in Chelsea blue.
“It’s simple. The dream is to win the Premier League and the Champions League with Chelsea,” he said.
Sarr joins Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos in making the move from Strasbourg to West London this summer, and could also be reunited with Djorde Petrovic should the Serbian shot-stopper choose to stay at Chelsea amid considerable transfer interest.
