Chelsea leaves £100k-per-week star out of premier league squad

Chelsea Football Club has finalized its 25-man Premier League squad for the 2023/24 season, and one notable omission is defender Malang Sarr, who reportedly earns £100,000 per week.

The exclusion of Sarr, a player with a hefty wage bill, follows an awkward moment last month when Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino seemed to have forgotten his presence in the team.

In a post-match press conference after Chelsea’s victory over Luton Town, a journalist queried Pochettino about the whereabouts of Malang Sarr, who spent the previous season on loan.

Pochettino’s bewildered response raised eyebrows as he initially replied with, “Who?” It appeared that Sarr had slipped from Pochettino’s radar, leaving fans and reporters puzzled about his status within the club.

Reports suggest that with the Turkish transfer window still open, there remains a possibility that Sarr could exit Chelsea before the Friday deadline.

The uncertainty surrounding his future has left many speculating about his next move and whether he will continue to earn his substantial weekly wage.

Additionally, Premier League regulations played a role in the exclusion of several other promising young talents from Chelsea’s squad.

Players such as Romeo Lavia, Levi Colwill, Cole Palmer, Malo Gusto, and Noni Madueke were omitted due to their age, as Premier League rules stipulate that “Under-21 players are eligible over and above the limit of 25 players per squad.” For the 2023/24 campaign, this age bracket includes players born on or after January 1, 2002.